Bogus B.O.

Hollywood types--and "Titanic" director James Cameron, in particular--have never been shy about trumpeting their triumphs. So the two-page ad spread for his film "Aquaman" in the June 19 edition of Daily Variety that celebrated the biggest box office weekend in history--$116 million, topping the record set by "Spider-Man" in 2002--was hardly a surprise.

Except that the film doesn't exist.

The ad was taken out by HBO to promote its showbiz spoof "Entourage." A recent episode centered on the premiere of Cameron's "Aquaman," an action film based on the classic DC Comics super hero. The producers and the film's star endured over-the-top tension as they monitored the box office numbers for the film's opening weekend.

Cameron has appeared on the series several times, playing himself. The pricey ad--likely costing between $30,000 and $40,000--provided a boost for the program and a laugh for insiders.

A few non-industry types may have been taken in. Web sites and blogs frequently crackle with "news" of projects undertaken by Cameron, and an "Aquaman" project was actually in development at Warner Bros. a few years back.

Staff reporter Joel Russell can be reached at [e-mail] or [phone], ext. 237.