During Meta Connect this week, an exclusive 3D trailer for James Cameron’s new film, Avatar: Fire and Ash, was released. Although full availability is yet to be confirmed, Cameron expressed excitement about Quest’s potential to revolutionize distribution models. The brief trailer can be viewed on Meta Horizon TV until September 21st, showcasing a new way for fans to experience Pandora on Quest following the movie’s theatrical release in December.
This release is part of a broader partnership between Meta and Lightstorm Vision, Cameron’s 3D film studio, which began in late 2024. It aims to produce various spatial content, including live events and full-length features across different genres. During a conversation with Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth at the Connect event, Cameron discussed an innovative distribution model that could bring “theater-grade 3D” experiences to VR headsets.
He sees a promising future enabled by devices such as the Quest series, which he believes could transform distribution by providing cinema-quality 3D directly through headsets. Cameron pointed out that VR headsets, like the Quest 3, could outperform traditional theaters, especially in terms of brightness and dynamic range. “I’ve been pushing for better brightness in movie theaters, but they’re stuck in older technology. Quest 3 is much brighter,” he commented.
Cameron appreciates VR’s immersive nature, which he believes fosters a stronger connection with audiences. He envisions a future where 3D content, including everything from short-form videos to sports and news, becomes commonplace. “We interact with the world in 3D, and we’ve shown that this increases emotional engagement and presence,” he noted.
If Meta does bring the full version of Avatar: Fire and Ash to Quest, it might be available post the film’s theatrical premiere on December 19th, coinciding with its broader release on streaming platforms.