Twentieth Century Fox; ABC/ART STREIBERKing of the World? More like King of the Universe.
Here's one more feather in his Na'vi cap: James Cameron's space-themed Pocahontas tale dominated last night's Saturn Awards, taking home Best Science Fiction Film, Best Director, Best Writer and Best Actor and Actress for stars Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana, who played the marine grunt sent to Pandora and the Na'vi princess he falls for, respectively.
The ceremony, which took place in Burbank, honors the most accomplished works in the sci-fi, fantasy, thriller and horror genres and the Titanic helmer has long been a mainstay. In fact, Avatar marks a personal triumph for Cameron who holds the mark for most Saturn victories, having won twice for directing and writing. He was also feted with the Visionary Award.
All in all, the blue-tinted blockbuster won 10 trophies including Best Supporting Actor and Actress for Stephen Lang and Sigourney Weaver, Best Music for composer James Horner and Best Production Design and Special Effects (natch) to the team of Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham and Andrew R. Jones.
Other notable winners on the film side: Watchmen, which snagged Best Fantasy flick, and Sam Raimi's Drag Me To Hell, which was named Best Horror film. While Quentin Tarantino's WWII revenge fantasy thriller Inglourious Basterds took a scalp of its own, Best Action-Adventure thriller, last summer's surprise hit District 9 scored Best International Film, and Monsters and Aliens landed Best Animation prize.
On the tube side, while Lost gets ready to enjoy a long after-life in syndication, its final season found the acclaimed ABC serial mystery earning a Saturn for Best Network TV Series while star Josh Holloway quipped his way to a Best TV Actor win for his role as everyone's favorite con-man, James "Sawyer" Ford.
Not to be outdone, J.J. Abrams' other baby, Fringe, garnered kudos for Best TV Actress for Anna Torv and Star Trek's Leonard Nimoy for Best Actor in a guest-starring role. While Breaking Bad broke in with Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series.
For making one of the best sequels of all time in The Empire Strikes Back and bringing unexpected depth and heartfelt emotion to George Lucas' space opera franchise among other cinematic achievements, veteran filmmaker Irvin Kershner was honored with the Life Career Award, appropriately enough on the Star Wars film's 30th anniversary.
The big loser of the night? Guy Ritchie's amped up take on Sherlock Holmes which uncovered eight nominations but walked away empty-handed.
Here's a complete list of kudos for the 36th Annual Saturn Awards:
- Best Science Fiction Film: Avatar
- Best Fantasy Film: Watchmen
- Best Horror Film: Drag Me To Hell
- Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Film: Inglourious Basterds
- Best Actor: Sam Worthington (Avatar)
- Best Actress: Zoe Saldana (Avatar)
- Best Supporting Actor: Stephen Lang (Avatar)
- Best Supporting Actress: Sigourney Weaver (Avatar)
- Best Performance by a Younger Actor: Saoirse Ronan (The Lovely Bones)
- Best Director: James Cameron (Avatar)
- Best Writer: James Cameron (Avatar)
- Best Music: James Horner (Avatar)
- Best Costume: Michael Wilkinson (Watchmen)
- Best Make-Up: Barney Burman, Mindy Hall, Joel Harlow (Star Trek)
- Best Production Design: Rick Carter, Robert Stromberg (Avatar)
- Best Special Effects: Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham, Andrew R. Jones (Avatar)
- Best International Film: District 9
- Best Animation Film: Monsters vs. Aliens
- Best Television Series: Lost
- Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series: Breaking Bad
- Best Presentation on Television: Torchwood: Children of Earth
- Best Actor on Television: Josh Holloway (Lost)
- Best Actress on Television: Anna Torv (Fringe)
- Best Supporting Actor on Television: Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad)
- Best Supporting Actress on Television: Julie Benz (Dexter)
- Guest Starring Role on Television: Leonard Nimoy (Fringe)
- Best DVD Release: Nothing But the Truth
- Best DVD Television Release: Lost (The Complete Fifth Season)
- Best DVD Special Edition: Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut
- Best DVD Collection: Star Trek Original Motion Picture Collection
- Best Local Stage Production: Fantasy/Musical: Mary Poppins (Ahmanson Theatre)
- Best Local Stage Production: Play/Dramatic Musical: Parade (Mark Taper Forum)
- Best Local Stage Production: Small Theatre: Fellowship: The Musical (Falcon Theatre)
- The Visionary Award: James Cameron
- The George Pal Memorial Award: Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman
- The Producers Showcase Award: Lauren Shuler Donner
- The Life Career Award: Irvin Kershner