(GettyImages)

Was the highest-grossing movie of all time based on a stolen idea?

That’s the argument behind a new lawsuit reportedly filed against Avatar writer and director James Cameron.

The award-winning filmmaker was allegedly pitched an “environmentally themed 3-D epic about a corporation’s colonization and plundering of a distant moon’s lush and wondrous natural setting” back in 1999.

Eric Ryder claims he had several meetings with Cameron’s production company about the potential project, until he was allegedly told in 2002 that no one would see such a film.

Ryder’s attempts to get recognition in 2009, when the record-breaking movie starring Sam Worthington was released, were reportedly rebuffed.

He is seeking unspecified damages, according to TMZ.

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(Latina)

Zoe Saldana, who can soon be seen in the upcoming film, Colombiana, says she had a near breakdown after Avatar.

The star of the highest grossing film ever says, “The year after Avatar was just emotionally overwhelming. I was traveling all over the world, waking up in different time zones. Your body gets exhausted, and by the end of the year I just collapsed.”

She recalls in the September issue of Latina, “I was in Paris training for Colombiana, sitting in my hotel room, and I couldn’t stop crying. I couldn’t stay awake. I must have slept for an entire month. It took me the rest of the year, even as I was working and shooting Colombiana, to pick myself up. Thank God my family was there.”

Saldana now knows how to slow down and relax.

She says, “I just stay at home and do absolutely nothing. When I was younger, that would have made me feel like such a failure. Now that I’m older, I know what it means to shut down. I don’t shower if I don’t want to. I don’t answer e-mails. It’s a healthy way of being selfish.”

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(GettyImages.com)

AnnaLynne McCord is one blue-hot alien.

The actress was spotted donning a Na’avi getup from the blockbuster Avatar while filming “90210″ in L.A. yesterday.

The reason for the outrageous outfit?

McCord recently revealed that her boy-crazy character Naomi wears the alien costume to impress an Avatar aficianado she meets online.

Check out the photos HERE.

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(GettyImages.com)

In Touch claims in this week’s issue that as Britney Spears’ conservatorship is reportedly drawing to a close, “She’s fired the security team she blames for many of her recent problems.”

Referring to the sexual harassment suit filed by Spears’ former bodyguard Fernando Flores, which the singer is fighting, a so-called “insider” tells In Touch, “Britney felt the old guys knew too much about her baggage from the past… She wants to create a new, confident, independent Britney – and doesn’t want anyone around who remembers what she was like before.”

That same source goes on to say, “Firing her security team is a typical example of her wanting to blame someone else for her problems. She can fire everyone around her but at the end of the day, it’s still going to be the same old Britney when she gets home.”

All very interesting psychobabble – but entirely wrong.

First (and last), Spears did NOT fire her security staff.

A source close to the singer assures Gossip Cop that talk of Spears firing her security team isn’t true.

That’s shocking considering how spot-on In Touch has been with its stories about Spears, including her being Mel Gibson‘s secret confidante and her “wish list” of men she wants to date such as Ryan Phillippe, Avatar star Sam Worthington and yes, “The Situation.”

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(Fox)

James Cameron could jump from the biggest theatrical release in history to the small screen.

The Avatar director is reportedly developing a television series based on his 1994 action hit True Lies, which starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis. The plot revolved around computer salesman Harry Tasker, who doubled as a butt-kicking spy.

A potential series is being pitched to various networks, according to Deadline.

Cameron’s only previous foray into TV was Jessica Alba‘s “Dark Angel” sci-fi drama.

A television series based on Cameron’s hit Terminator franchise ran on FOX from 2008 to 2009.

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(GettyImages.com)

In today’s line up, James Cameron gets rich, Celine Dion gets boys, and Carrie Underwood’s friends get lost.

1. Jennifer Lopez is at the center of political controversy in the Mediterranean. (AP)

2. James Cameron will earn a record-setting fortune from Avatar. (Deadline)

3. Celine Dion is going to have twin boys. (People)

4. Melissa Etheridge left her ex with four dollars. (TMZ)

5. Carrie Underwood‘s wedding location is unknown… even to guests. (NY Post)

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(GettyImages.com)

If “Avatar” star Zoe Saldana looks pretty animated lately, it’s probably just excitement over her recent engagement.

The actress is set to wed Keith Britton, an actor and entrepreneur who she has dated for 10 years, her rep confirms to Gossip Cop.

Having had experience with something blue already, all Saldana needs is something borrowed and something new.

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(GettyImages.com)

The final installment in The Twilight Saga begins production this fall.

As announced late yesterday, Breaking Dawn will be turned into two separate films, with the first set to hit screens on November 18, 2011. Dividing Stephenie Meyer‘s final tome in half had long been the expected route; it’s now official.

There is also word that the movies could be done in 3-D. The technology has inspired both awe (in films like Avatar) and groans (Clash of the Titans).

So with one major decision made and another still to be determined, how do YOU feel about the Breaking Dawn project?

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(GettyImages.com)

Katy Perry will perform her new single “California Gurls” live at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards, as the network announced a number of additions to the June 6 telecast.

Among the newly confirmed presenters are Paul Rudd, Jason Segal, Anna Kendrick, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and Aubrey Plaza.

The ceremony will also feature the five leads of Grown Ups: Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Kevin James, Rob Schneider, and David Spade.

Leading the way with six nominations is The Hangover, while New Moon and Avatar have five apiece.

Aziz Ansari will host.

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(GettyImages.com)

“Britney’s shopping for a new man,” reads a headline in the current issue of In Touch.

The mag claims, “Britney Spears‘ romance with her agent, Jason Trawick, seems to be nearing the end — so she’s asking her father, Jamie [Spears], to help her find a new guy!”

Huh?

In Touch explains, “Since Jamie is Britney’s legal conservator, he keeps a watchful eye” on everyone with whom she’s involved, so the singer has now “given him a ‘wish list’ of famous men she’d be interested in dating.”

Who, claims the mag, is on dating deck?

According to an In Touch source, Spears is interested in Ryan Phillippe, Paris Hilton‘s ex Doug Reinhardt, Avatar star Sam Worthington and yes, “The Situation.”

Show of hands: Who believes this story?

(Thought so.)

A source close to Spears assures Gossip Cop the story is “not true,” and that “no one is approving who she wants to see.”

We’re sure “The Situation” is much relieved not to have to pass the Jamie test.

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(Twentieth Century Fox)

Twentieth Century Fox announced today that “Avatar” will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on April 22.

The studio said the DVD release coincides with the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.

While no formal statement has been made about a 3D DVD for “Avatar,” Fox said one would be released in the future, probably in 2011.

To date, ”Avatar” has grossed a record $2.6 billion internationally and $730.2 million domestically. 

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With preliminary numbers in – and things will change a bit – it appears yesterday’s Oscars garnered about 14 percent more viewers than last year’s show.

It’s estimated that the total U.S. audience was approximately 41.3 million people, up from 36.3 million in 2009.

What do you think was the reason for the bigger ratings?

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(ABC)

In case you missed it, here is Ben Stiller appearing as a member of the Na’vi from Avatar to present the Oscar for Best Makeup during the 82nd Academy Awards.

Star Trek won the honor, but we have a feeling Stiller’s rhapsody in blue will be the more memorable moment.

VIDEO BELOW

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(Disney)

UPDATE:  10:00AM  3/7/2010

America loves Alice.

Alice in Wonderland posted the best 3D and IMAX openings in history — even bigger than Avatar — with a total domestic weekend haul of over $115 million.

The Tim Burton fantasy starring Johnny Depp and newcomer Mia Wasikowska is also the biggest March release ever.

While Sunday numbers are not yet final, it’s clear frequent collaborators Depp and Burton had a very good Oscars weekend.

Meanwhile, just-opened Brooklyn’s Finest and holdover Shutter Island are neck and neck for the #2 spot.

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(GettyImages.com)

Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese are still on top.

Their psychological thriller, Shutter Island, remained #1 at the box office this weekend. The film’s $22.2 million haul beat the openings of Cop Out ($18.6 million) and The Crazies ($16.5 million).

All-time champ Avatar passed the $700 million domestic mark.

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(Paramount)

Leonardo DiCaprio appears to have fended off Bruce Willis and a bunch of crazies.

According to box office projections, Shutter Island, last week’s #1 and the best opening of DiCaprio’s career, will stay in the top spot this weekend with roughly $21 million.

This week’s two big debuts are estimated to round out the top 3. Cop Out, starring Willis and Tracy Morgan, projects to an $18.5 million haul, while small town horror flick The Crazies is expected to take in about $15 million.

Box office machine Avatar will pass $700 million in North America, coming in ahead of movies released nearly two months after it hit theaters.

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(Paramount)

UPDATE: 12:00PM – 2/21/10 -

Shutter Island outdid the projections, earning $40.2 million at the box office, not only winning the weekend, but also giving director Martin Scorsese and star Leonardo DiCaprio their biggest openings ever.

Valentine’s Day ($17.2 million) came in at #2, while all-time champ Avatar keeps going strong — this week finishing a close #3 with $16.1 million. It’s made $687.8 million overall.

ORIGINAL POST – 2/20/10 -

Early projections give the weekend box office title to Shutter Island, with an estimated three-day take of $35 million. The sum would be the best ever opening for director Martin Scorsese.

The psychological thriller stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a marshal investigating a spooky institution in the 1950s.

Barring a drastic change over the course of Saturday and Sunday, last week’s champ, Valentine’s Day, will fall to #2, just ahead of Percy Jackson & The Olympians and… all-time #1 Avatar, which is now approaching $700 million in North America.

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(MTV.com)

MTV News did an interview with The Yellow Handkerchief star Kristen Stewart and asked for her thoughts on whether “Breaking Dawn,” the final installment(s) in The Twilight Saga series, should follow in Avatar‘s footsteps and be 3-D.

“I don’t know. I think that would be crazy!” Stewart said. She added, “Maybe selectively, maybe. Maybe certain scenes.”

But don’t expect the book’s infamous birth scene to be among those potential 3-D scenes.

“No, I don’t think that should be [in 3-D],” Stewart said.

VIDEO BELOW

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(New Line)

Valentine’s Day

The romantic comedy is on pace to take in $60 million for the Friday-Monday extended weekend, after scoring a $16.5 million debut Friday, and $18.4 million for Saturday. Percy Jackson & The Olympians and The Wolfman, the other two major releases, are estimated to hit $40 million and $34.8 million, respectively.

For the #4 spot, all-time box office leader Avatar will edge out Dear John, the romance that finally knocked it from its #1 perch last weekend.

The overall box office is trending ahead of last year’s Valentine’s Day/Presidents Weekend, which set the record at $220 million.

Gossip Cop will update later with final numbers on this HUGE movie weekend.

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(New Line)

The weekend is upon us… along with a varied slate of box office offerings.

Horror fans get a visit from The Wolfman, while fantasy and mythology buffs will have Percy Jackson & The Olympians.

Meanwhile, roughly four-fifths of Hollywood appears in Valentine’s Day (including Jessicas Alba and Biel, Taylors Swift and Lautner, Robertses Julia and Emma, Bradley Cooper, Ashton Kutcher, Jennifer Garner, Jamie Foxx, George Lopez, Queen Latifah, Topher Grace, Anne Hathaway, etc.). We suspect the film is about Valentine’s Day.

Of course, there are also some leftover movies fighting it out at the cineplex, including last week’s champ, Dear John, and a small indie called Avatar.

Gossip Cop wants to know what you plan to see!

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(GettyImages.com)

Spidey is going the Avatar route.

Sony plans to release its new Spider-Man movie on July 3, 2012 – in 3D.

As reported earlier, Tobey Maguire and Sam Raimi, the star and director of the last three movies in the series, have been jettisoned. The studio plans to “reboot” the series with the next installment.

A new actor for the title role has yet to be tapped. Marc Webb is set to direct.

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(Relativity)

UPDATED SUNDAY

Avatar‘s astounding run at #1 is over.

After upsetting the James Cameron juggernaut on Friday, Dear John also posted better Saturday box office numbers, albeit by a narrower margin. The romance earned an estimated $12.4 million yesterday to edge the sci-fi epic’s estimated $11.3 million.

With a weekend total of $32.4 million, Dear John also beat Hannah Montana‘s record for a Super Bowl Weekend. That concert film earned $31.1 million in 2008.

At number two, “Avatar” snagged $23.6 million this weekend, raising its domestic total to $630.1 million. 

*****     *****     *****     *****     *****

ORIGINAL POST – 11:30AM Saturday -

The weekend is far from over, but early projections have produced a big surprise. The over performing love story Dear John is expected to end Avatar‘s reign atop the box office.

Starring Amanda Seyfried and Channing Tatum, Dear John shot to a huge $13 million Friday opening in North America, far ahead of Avatar, still very strong in its eighth week with a $6 million Friday take.

While numbers from today and tomorrow (Super Bowl Sunday) could obviously shake things up, estimates now place Dear John at roughly $30 million for the weekend, which would be enough to knock off the ridiculously successful Avatar.

Again, numbers won’t be final until tomorrow night. But Avatar‘s long stay atop the weekend box office MAY be over.

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(20th Century Fox)

There’s a new #1 at the all-time domestic box office.

Avatar has now made more than $601 million in North America, edging past director James Cameron‘s own Titanic, whose $600.8 million total occupied the top spot for twelve years.

The futuristic sci-fi spectacular is already the all-time #1 worldwide. It broke Titanic‘s domestic record late Tuesday, after just 47 days of release, and on the same day it received an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.

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(20th Century Fox)

UPDATE – 1/31/10

The numbers are in, and they’re staggering.

Not only did Avatar win a seventh consecutive weekend – as projected – but its $95.1 million international take across 120 global markets pushes the blockbuster past $2 billion overall, even earlier than expected.

With $594.5 million (domestic) and $1.45 billion (overseas), the film has registered an astonishing $2.045 billion at the box office.

Avatar has now cracked the $100 million mark in China, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Spain are close behind.

*****    *****     *****     *****     *****     *****     *****

ORIGINAL POST – 1/30/10

Early projections give Avatar a seventh straight weekend box office triumph.

The James Cameron sci-fi epic, already the all-time earnings champ, is rocketing toward the $600 million mark for domestic gross, as well as (gulp) $2 billion worldwide. It might pass both milestones in the next few days.

Avatar looks to tack approximately $28 million to its total by Sunday night. It had already passed $1.9 billion overall before the weekend even began.

The Mel Gibson comeback flick Edge of Darkness is expected to be in second place for the weekend, well behind Avatar if studio projections hold.

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(20th Century Fox)

It’s official.

This morning Avatar passed Titanic to become the all-time box office champion.

The sci-fi spectacular has just surpassed $1.8 billion worldwide, the total Titanic grossed back in 1997-98.

Yes, the new film’s grosses are aided by higher ticket prices for 3D screenings and inflation. But #1 is #1, and Avatar now holds the title.

Domestically, Titanic is still at the top with $600.8 million, but Avatar is on pace to earn that distinction shortly.

In other box office news, The Twilight Saga: New Moon has topped the $700 million mark worldwide.

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(20th Century Fox)

As we approach final box office tallies for the weekend, it looks like early estimates will hold. Avatar is set to take a sixth consecutive weekend, fending off Legion and others, and becoming the highest-grossing film in North American history after director James Cameron‘s own Titanic.

Projections give Avatar a $36 million weekend and a cumulative domestic box office north of $552 million.

The Harrison Ford film Extraordinary Measures bombed in its debut, finishing in seventh place.

Gossip Cop will keep tracking Avatar as it steams toward Titanic‘s #1 spot on both the all-time domestic and all-time worldwide box office charts.

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(20th Century Fox)

The victories keep piling up for James Cameron and Avatar.

The director’s sci-fi epic is poised to win a sixth consecutive weekend at the box office, according to estimates, and its cumulative domestic grosses will overtake The Dark Knight for the second-best total in North American history.

A slate of new movies including the supernatural Legion, kids pic The Tooth Fairy, and Harrison Ford vehicle Extraordinary Measures failed to knock Avatar from its throne. Projections see roughly $35 million over the weekend for the reigning champ, nearly twice that of second-place Legion.

Again, these are just estimates for now, but it looks like Avatar has stayed on top. We’ll update with final numbers when available…

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(20th Cnetury Fox)

The final numbers are in, and as predicted “Avatar” raked in $54.4 million over the four-day Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend, bringing its domestic total to $504.9 million.

“Avatar,” which had a big night at the Golden Globes, including a best film win, trails only “The Dark Knight” ($533 million) and “Titanic” ($600 million) on the all-time box office charts.

Internationally, “Avatar” has made $1.6 billion, second only to “Titanic,” which grossed $1.8 billion. 

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(PerezHilton.com)

Earlier today Gossip Cop reported that James Cameron‘s Avatar had won the box office for a fifth consecutive weekend, which it did.

While Avatar ceded Friday (narrowly) to The Book of Eli, starring Denzel Washington as a post-apocalyptic hero, actual box office results handed another big weekend at the #1 spot to the reigning sci-fi phenomenon.

Too bad Perez Hilton can’t quit his habit of copying and pasting stories before he even reads them.

Yes, the blogger once again goes light on facts and late on “news,” breathlessly posting, “Eli Kicks Avatar Off It’s (sic) High Horse,” and going on to claim, “if the numbers remain consistent throughout the weekend,” The Book of Eli would beat Avatar for the top spot.

Oops.

Just to reiterate: After everyone else named Avatar #1 based on Friday through Sunday numbers, Perez used Friday numbers to declare that Avatar’s reign had finally ended.

Again, oops.

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(20th Century Fox)

Avatar has hit $1.6 billion worldwide, creeping closer to the all-time box office champ, Titanic.

The James Cameron epic scored its fifth straight domestic box office win, earning $41.3 million in the three days beginning Friday. It should pass $500 million in North America on Monday.

It’s now the third-highest grossing domestic movie ever at $491.8 million, behind Titanic and The Dark Knight.

Aided by word of mouth, crossover appeal, higher 3D ticket prices, and staggering staying power into its second month, Avatar is now roughly $237 million behind Titanic for the all-time crown.

It took Titanic 98 days to reach the total Avatar has amassed in just thirty-two.

Gossip Cop will follow the numbers as they grow and grow and grow…

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