Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Avatar 2: Filming to start now that Avatar 5 has finished being written

'My focus isn’t on Avatar 2. My focus is on Avatar 2, 3, 4, and 5 equally'

Jacob Stolworthy
Tuesday 31 January 2017 05:17 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Having been hard at work on its 'overwritten' sequels (his words) for six years now, James Cameron has finally completed work on all four follow-ups to 2009 box office record breaker Avatar.

Cameras are set to begin rolling on Avatar 2 this August, kickstarting characters Jake (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri's (Zoe Saldana) “battle with humans.”

The filmmaker told The Daily Beast: “The thing is, my focus isn’t on Avatar 2. My focus is on Avatar 2, 3, 4, and 5 equally. That’s exactly how I’m approaching it. They’ve all been developed equally. I’ve just finished the script to Avatar 5. I’m now starting the process of active prep. I’ll be working with the actors in the capture volume in August, so I’m booked in production every day between now and then.

"Our volume is up and running, and everything is designed, and so we’re going full-guns right now. I feel like I’ve been let out of jail, because I’ve been in the writing cave for the last two years. I’m actually enjoying life. I don’t enjoy writing. I wouldn’t wish writing on a dog.”

Avatar - Official Trailer

These Avatar sequels have been in the work ever since the first one was released, and it's been unclear when cinemagoers could expect the follow-up which is expected to be every bit the visual treat of the original.

Following a spot of schedule rejigging, however, 20th Century Fox seem to have revealed when the sequel will land in cinemas: an untitled James Cameron project has been pencilled in for 20 December 2018.

It would make sense for this to be Avatar 2 considering the first one was given a Christmas release back in 2009.

Another film from Cameron's studio Lightstorm Entertainment is Alita: Battle Angel - from director Robert Rodriguez - however that already has a release date of July 2018 which eliminates that from being the December release.

Cameron last year revealed plans to show a future Avatar film in 3D without the need for 3D glasses.

Avatar 2 will be released in 2018 with 3, 4 and 5 being fanned out up until 2023. Cameron will also return to The Terminator franchise following the dire 2015 effort Terminator: Genisys.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in