Panasonic makes Avatar marriage official, huge cross-promotion for 3D Blu-ray and TV planned

Panasonic has formally teamed up with Twentieth Century Fox to cross-promote James Cameron’s upcoming 3D SF movie Avatar.

On the eve of free teaser screenings of 15 minutes' worth of material from the movie at selected UK cinemas, Panasonic’s Masayuki Kozuka told the Associated Press: ‘We want to get global interest rolling. For people to want to watch 3D at home, the movie has to be a blockbuster.’

Avatar, which is fast shaping up to be the most hyped big-screen event of the year, has its worldwide theatrical launch this December. The title has long been identified as the movie which will spearhead 3D on Blu-ray, when the format is officially unveiled in 2010.

The Japanese CE giant has been supplying hardware to Cameron and Fox throughout the film's production, and believes it’s the best launch-title the system could hope for. The first 3D TVs from the brand are expected to be heavily promoted with visuals from the movie alongside endorsements from Cameron himself. 3D roadshows featuring 3D Blu-ray presentations around the movie's Blu-ray release are also planned.