‘Avatar’: James Cameron Confirms August Start Date For Sequels

Avatar Movie James Cameron

After numerous delays in production, James Cameron has finally confirmed that filming for the Avatar sequel will begin later this year. The film is set to be filmed back-to-back-to-back-to-back with the other three sequels, tentatively scheduled for release in 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2023.

In an interview withThe Daily Beast, James Cameron was (unsurprisingly) asked about why it’s taking so long for him to make Avatar 2. He answered that it’s because he’s focused on the big picture with his franchise instead of making a sequel at a time.

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.

If production on all four movies begins in August, then this could make Avatar 2‘s intended December 2018 release window very impractical, so a 2019 release is most likely the earliest point where we may actually get to see the sequel. This is probably good news for Lucasfilm’s Han Solo movie, which is rumored to be eyeing a release date in that window after The Force Awakens and Rogue One did so well there, but it could prove to make for a white-hot December if Episode IX and Avatar 2 end up having to compete with one another. As it stands, the franchise will have its tenth anniversary then, with a Disney World expansion to serve as the only major thing to come out of it since the first film, so it will be very interesting to see how it does at the box office.

The four Avatar sequels are currently set to hit theaters December 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2023 respectively.

Source: The Daily Beast