James Cameron’s long-gestating Avatar sequels have been upcoming for so long, entire cinematic franchises have been built in the same period. The most profitable film in history, parent company Fox greenlit three sequels. In the ensuing 12 years, Cameron – along with a team at Weta digital – have been working under a tight veil of secrecy.
For fans, news on the project is frustratingly slow to materialise. However, this week 20th Century Studios head honcho Steve Asbell sits down with THR to discuss the studio’s upcoming slate of films. This includes the release date of the long-awaited return to Pandora; the world James Cameron crafted all the way back in 2009.
“For real. It’s going to blow people away. You’re not ready for what Jim is doing.”
Avatar 2 is set to bring back most of the cast from the first film. Sam Worthington appears as Jake Sully, Zoe Saldana as the Na’vi Neytiri, Stephen Lang as Colonel Miles Quaritch, Giovanni Ribisi as mining boss Parker Selfridge, Joel David Moore as xenoanthropologist Dr. Norm Spellman, and Sigourney Weaver as Avatar program head Dr. Grace Augustine. The film also adds Vin Diesel, Edie Falco, Michelle Yeoh, Jemaine Clement, Cliff Curtis, and Kate Winslet to the ensemble.
Old Threat Resurfacing
The plot is pretty tightly under wraps. What we do know is that the film focuses on a resurfacing threat. this threat interrupts Jake and Neytiri’s happy family life. This change forces them to explore the depths of Pandora even further.
It’s been a long time between drinks for this franchise. Some are doubting its return will have the same kind of impact that the first film did. Especially given how much the cinematic landscape has changed since 2009. That is, with the establishment of successful long-running properties like the MCU.
However, if anyone can do it it’s probably James Cameron. For some of its shortcomings plotwise, the first film is a technical marvel. With a decade of pretty amazing advancements in CGI at his fingertips; not to mention probably the most successful VFX studio in history playing the role of his backup band, it’s hard to doubt that Avatar 2 will be a success.
Date Confirmation via Studio
With marketing powerhouse and parent company, Disney, at the helm – the end result is likely to be similar to the initial 2009 release. The first film was everywhere from TV advertisements to lunchboxes to the Super Bowl. Brace yourselves, Avatar is coming back.
In the interview with THR, Asbell confirmed with the interviewer that the studio is committed to a December 16th, 2022 release. When asked if it will stick to that release date, he responds without hesitation with “Yes. It will.” After so long waiting for proper news, this should please fans of Cameron’s and Avatar.
Avatar 2 is yet to be released but stay tuned to FIB as we’ll cover any news on the film as it comes to hand!
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