'Avatar 2' updates, release date: James Cameron aiming for 2018 release; More sequels expected until 2023
Since the worldwide blockbuster film "Avatar" hit the theaters in 2009, there have been little details shared by renowned director and filmmaker James Cameron every now and then regarding the sequel that is expected feature the fictional world of Pandora once again. Just recently, Cameron surprised people who attended Fox's Cinema Con and those who have been waiting for more "Avatar" sequel news. He revealed that people can expect much more in the "Avatar" universe he has been envisioning over the past couple of years.
The "Avatar" and "Titanic" creator was a surprise attendee at Fox's big event in Las Vegas on Thursday, and at the same spot, people could not help but ask Cameron about the long-planned series of sequels following the hugely successful "Avatar" movie more than six years ago. He had stated in the past that the follow-up sequels for "Avatar" are going to be a trilogy. However, during his recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter during the event, he revealed that he and his creative team are now planning a total of four sequels instead of three.
The successful filmmaker said that having three follow-up movies to continue the story he started in "Avatar" will limit his ideas, with his team finally deciding to "embark on a truly massive cinematic process." They have already come up with an expansive set of thoughts and ideas to include in the "Avatar" series and creating four more movies will perfectly depict all those ideas.
Cameron also explained that they started to experience problems with the three-part movie series they previously set among themselves and they had to go beyond the "limitations of their art form." This would require another installment in the film series to narrate the whole story. While the planned movies will share the same universe, he said that each of the sequels is going to be standalone films, although they are expected to work "in conjunction for the narrative."
"Avatar 2" is aimed to have a Christmas 2018 worldwide release, according to the blockbuster director. The Rolling Stones reported that after the first of four sequels, the next three films in the "Avatar" film franchise are slated for release in 2020, 2022, and 2023, respectively.
Cameron's "Avatar" is the top-grossing movie of all time, worldwide. The movie earned a total of $2.8 billion from domestic and international box office returns. Before "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" came, "Avatar" held the record of the top-grossing film domestically with $760.5 million box office turn-out in the United States. "The Force Awakens" broke this record with $760.6 million.
