With months of speculation on the forthcoming sequels to AVATAR including new technology for underwater sequences, the possibility of one being a prequel, and more, we now have our first official confirmation that AVATAR 2 will begin production for a 2016 release followed by two more sequels each of the next two years.
Deadline reports that James Cameron and Fox have selected a group of screenwriters to write the three films which are now planned to be filmed simultaneously, much like THE LORD OF THE RINGS and THE HOBBIT. The sequels will be written by Josh Friedman (WAR OF THE WORLDS), Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver (RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES), and Shane Salerno. Salerno previously worked with James Cameron on FANTASTIC VOYAGE and directed the upcoming SALINGER documentary. Each writer will work with Cameron to develop the individual films which will begin production in 2014.
Cameron had this to say about the news:
“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.”
Despite being the highest grossing movie of all time, AVATAR has been out of the zeitgeist for several years. Airings on basic cable have definitely kept it in the minds of movie-goers, but with such a massive financial commitment amidst big budget films falling short at the box office, are three films overkill? I liked AVATAR enough to buy a copy of the special edition on Blu-ray but the biggest draw was the groundbreaking use of 3D, a format that has lost some of it’s luster. I am still a firm believer that AVATAR is the only worthwhile 3D film released to date and I would be stunned if he didn’t deliver something amazing for the sequels.
Are you excited to be getting not just two but three more AVATAR movies?
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