No, fortunately James Cameron did not choose to follow up Avatar with a job directing Final Destination 5 (though I'm sure producers wouldn't have minded). Instead, Variety is reporting that New Line has brought on Steven Quale to direct the fifth installment of the horror franchise. Who is Steven Quale and what does he have to do with James Cameron?
Well, Quale is a veteran special effects wizard who was first recruited by Cameron out of USC film school to do work on The Abyss. He remained with Cameron, staying on to do effects work on Terminator 2: Judgment Day. He was promoted to second unit director on Titanic, and was even the special effects supervisor on Avatar. Quale also directed Aliens of the Deep for Disney.
So, yeah, the dude has been around the block more than once, and not only has he trained with the best, but he's been a part of some of the most successful films of all time. How's that for a resume!? Why, then, is he directing Final Destination 5? I have no idea, though I imagine it's a sort of get-his-feet-wet kinda thing before moving on to larger projects. Also, the Final Destination movies bring in big business – and having a 3D effects wizard on board should certainly have beef up what we all figured would be a relatively lame, been-there-done-that sequel.
With Quale on board, is Final Destination 5 now on your must-watch list?
