Avatar tipped to sink Titanic

by Gary Maiden. Published Wed 13 Jan 2010 15:13, Last updated: 2010-01-13

Sci Fi epic Avatar is being tipped to sink the Titanic and become the highest grossing movie of all time.

Popular bookies Paddy Power have James Cameron's most recent release at 15/8 to knock Titanic from the top spot.

Cameron, director of both classics, was slammed by the Vatican after Avatar was released in Italy.

The Vatican's official newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano said the film had "numerous captivating special effects but little true emotion, that is human emotion...visually there is impact but the plot is stale."

This doesn't appear to have affected the films popularity however, with Paddy Power also offering odds of 2/1 that the blockbuster hit rakes in between 7 million euros and 8 million euros at its opening weekend in Italy.

Avatar is also expected to dwarf the 4.7 million euros that Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince made and is a short 4/1 to break the 9 million euro barrier.

Sharon McHugh, spokesperson for Paddy Power said: "Avatar might have failed to impress Vatican City but it's still on track to become the highest grossing movie of all time and is now a leading contender to win this years big movie accolades including a Golden Globe and an Academy Award.

Avatar is 11/4 to win Best Motion Picture Drama at this years Golden Globes, 4/1 to win an Oscar for Best Picture and 8/1 to win both.

Avatar box office opening weekend in Italy:
7/1 Less than 5 million euros
8/1 5.01 to 6 million euros
3/1 6.01 to 7 million euros
2/1 7.01 to 8 million euros
11/4 8.01 to 9 million euros
4/1 Over 9 million euros

Avatar Specials:
15/8 Avatar to out-gross Titanic
11/4 Avatar to win 'Best Motion Picture: Drama' Golden Globe
7/2 The Pope to publicly denounce Avatar
4/1 Avatar to win 'Best Picture' Oscar
8/1 Avatar to win 'Best Motion Picture: Drama' Golden Globe & 'Best Picture' Oscar

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