James Cameron's 'Avatar' cost $500 million to make?!?

James Cameron's upcoming sci-fi epic Avatar has a pricetag of about $500 million, according to pieces in the L.A. Times and New York Times. Needless to say -- but that's what we do here -- that makes it the most expensive film ever made.

But it's not like the studio -- 20th Century Fox -- is footing the whole bill. (Because that would make them certifiably crazy and stupid.) Luckily, Cameron got some help along the way:

• Technically, the production budget was a paltry $230 million, the LA Times says. But that number doesn't include Cameron's own financial contributions or the marketing budget.
• A pair of private investors -- Dune Entertainment and Ingenious Media -- are said to be picking up 60 percent of the tab.
• The film picked up $25 million in aid from New Zealand, because much of the digital work was done there.

All for a movie that frankly doesn't have half the buzz of New Moon or even 2012. That's the real sign of the apocalypse.

Avatar is set for release on Dec. 18.