"Avatar" creator James Cameron confirmed that the "Avatar 2" film will be released in 2018, and not in 2017. The 2009 box-office film will be followed by four sequels, which will be released in December 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Initially, the planned release was "Avatar 2" and "Avatar 3" only, but Variety reported that after meeting with the creative and production team, Cameron said that they are now looking into four sequels. He mentioned that the next set of films go beyond the previous one, and the next films will stretch to become a saga. People who have seen the initial concept by Cameron were rendered "speechless" after.
Cinema Blend reported that Cameron is looking onto something big and talked about filming using higher frame rates for performances captured underwater, pushing the boundaries of modern filmmaking. There are no plot details yet, but Cameron mentioned that viewers can expect "whole new worlds, habitats, and cultures," and will introduce new characters.
Original actors confirmed to appear in the sequel include Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, and Stephen Lang. Cameron hinted that the storyline of the sequels follow after the story of the couple Sully and Neytiri with their children. Cameron added that the production was "more of a family saga about the struggle with the humans."
Avid fans are expected to witness creative twists in the sequel take-off, including the character Miles Quatrich played by Lang. Although viewers thought the character died, Quatrich will make a comeback and will shift from being a villain to become a lead character in the sequel, replacing Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana). He will lead the rescue of Sully and Neytiri after they are captured.
Cameron is hoping to release the next four movies close to each other's release date and mentioned that the cadence of the pattern is crucial. "We haven't moved that [December 2018] target yet, but we will if we need to." There is also a possibility of an annual December release if the sequels will be finished and ready for an annual comeback.
"Avatar 2" was initially set to premiere on December 2017 but rumors spread that the film's production pushed back to make way for "Star Wars: Episode 8," which will be released around the same time. However, the delay in release may have been brought about by missed several production start dates. Cameron is also solely to be credited for the story of "Avatar," but he is bringing a new set of writers to create the sequels.
Aside from the movie, Cameron has also worked with a prequel stage production of "Avatar," titled "Toruk," a Cirque de Soleil production which took the stage of Barclays Center in Brooklyn two weeks ago. He served as consultant on the writing and execution of the story, and mentioned that he liked "this idea of weaving back and forth between the two worlds, the live world and the film world."
"Toruk - The First Flight," featured the giant, dragon-like creatures seen in the film. It is not directly related to the previous movie but overlaps were present between its plot and that of Avatar. The stadium show has been touring North America. As for the movie sequels, the next is expected to be seen on theaters starting Christmas of 2018. Cameron hinted on a possibility of the concept being integrated on the succeeding films.
Fans are expecting a twist in the sequel following the hit "Avatar," and Cameron assures creative twists based on their initial preparation for the production.
