James Cameron Backs New UK Film Studio As Crucial Marlow Planning Vote Approaches

deadline.com:

James Cameron has backed a new UK film studio and said it could act as a base for his technology training center, but the £750M ($927M) Marlow Film Studios still requires a planning greenlight and is proving controversial in its local area.

According to the Financial Times, the triple Oscar-winner has written to Buckinghamshire Council in support of the plans in the past few weeks and said it could be a potential UK and European base and training centre for Lightstorm3D, a company Cameron has set up to develop tools and technology for movies.

Cameron said the 22.5% of global box office the UK delivered in 2023 will “grow as a result” of Marlow, which is in Buckinghamshire, South East England. “But embracing that opportunity necessitates support and boldness in thinking,” the FT reported Cameron wrote. “The next iteration of screen storytelling requires a purpose-built working space of exceptional quality, and trained professionals.” Cameron, whose back catalog includes Titanic and Avatar, has been a major advocate for improved movie tech throughout his career.

He joins Sam Mendes and a wealth of other high-profile Marlow backers. The news comes ahead of a crucial planning permission vote by local councillors expected on the site later this month.