Avatar sequels to resume production despite coronavirus
Some cast members will be returning to set in New Zealand ‘next week’
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.The Avatar sequels are among the first major studio movies to resume production since the onset of the coronavirus.
Producer Jon Landau tweeted a photo from the set of Avatar 2, which shows some big boats along with a message about how some cast members will be returning to set in New Zealand “next week”.
The four bew sequels are costing 20th Century Fox, which was bought by Disney in 2018, more than $1bn (£808m), making Avatar the first film series to require this much money up front.
The original Avatar film, which starred Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana and Sigourney Weaver, is the second highest-grossing film of all time, having raked in £2.25bn ($2.78bn) at the global box office.
In the new picture, directed again by James Cameron, stars from the first film – Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana – are joined by Kate Winslet and Cliff Curtis as they film in a water tank for Avatar 2.
Much of the new Avatar adventures will take place underwater in the mythical world of Pandora, with Cameron attributing the series’ delay to working out how to effectively use underwater motion-capture technology. The first sequel was originally scheduled for release in 2014, but now won’t be released until December 2021.
In February, Landau revealed that Winslet, who had previously worked with Cameron on 1997’s Titanic, had to hold her breath underwater for seven minutes while shooting.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments