While there’s been plenty of talk and teases since Avatar first debuted and showcased for many what modern day 3D can do for a film, there’ s been little action. That looks like it’s changing a bit today, finally, as James Cameron is bringing together a group to work on the Avatar sequels and to make it from two to three sequels now, all of which will be filmed at the same time.
to achieve this, he’s bringing in some additional writers so it’s not all on him like the first and his team there, with Josh Friedman (War of the Worlds), Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver (Rise of the Planets of the Apes) and Shane Salerno (Savages, Salinger) now collaborating with him to bring the three films together.
According to his plans with Fox, the release of the first sequel will be in December 2016, with the second to follow in December 2017, and the third in 2018. Avatar 2, 3, and 4 will be produced by Cameron and Jon Landau through their Lightstorm Entertainment banner.
“Building upon the world we created with Avatar has been a rare and incredibly rewarding experience. In writing the new films, I’ve come to realize that Avatar’s world, story and characters have become even richer than I anticipated, and it became apparent that two films would not be enough to capture everything I wanted to put on screen. And to help me continue to expand this universe, I’m pleased to bring aboard Amanda, Rick, Shane and Josh — all writers I’ve long admired - to join me in completing the films screenplays.” Said Cameron.
According to 20th Century Fox chairman and CEO, Jim Gianopulos: “We at the studio have no higher priority, and can feel no greater joy, than enabling Jim to continue and expand his vision of the world of Avatar.’ The growing breadth and scale of Jim Cameron’s plans for his magnificent fantasy worlds continue to amaze us all.”