James Cameron signed a contract with Fox to make two sequels to Avatar due out in 2014 and 2015 set on Pandora.
We should have all known that this was coming. The amazing success of Avatar launched the 3D fad and a thousand blue Navi cosplayers. It only makes sense for James Cameron to expand the story and universe of the planet Pandora through more visually breathtaking films. The director said that Avatar 2 and 3 are the next two films that he will make, but it’s clear that these films are very early in the planning stage given that we won’t see them for 4 or 5 years. Cameron’s statement announcing his plans was full of platitudes.
“Avatar was conceived as an epic work of fantasy – a world that audiences could visit, across all media platforms, and this moment marks the launch of the next phase of that world,” Cameron said. “With two new films on the drawing boards, my company and I are embarking on an epic journey with our partners at Twentieth Century Fox.”
Cameron did say each of the two sequels will have complete stories. “In the second and third films, which will be self contained stories that also fulfill a greater story arc, we will not back off the throttle of Avatar‘s visual and emotional horsepower, and will continue to explore its themes and characters, which touched the hearts of audiences in all cultures around the world. I’m looking forward to returning to Pandora, a world where our imaginations can run wild.”
Of course, Fox is happy with the deal, as they will likely continue to print money-hats stamped with Avatar. “We had no higher priority, and can feel no greater joy, than enabling Jim to continue and expand his vision of the world of Avatar. This is a great day in the history of our company,” Fox Film Entertainment Chairmen Jim Gianopulos and Tom Rothman said, probably simultaneously and with shit-eating grins on their faces.
I saw Avatar in 3D the day it came out and I was blown away. I know that there has been a backlash amongst the nerds that Cameron did nothing new and that the story was predictable garbage, but I genuinely liked the film and I hope that these sequels live up to it.
Plus, I hope we get to see Giovanni Rabisi reprise his role as the squirmy businessman Parker Selfridge. I love that guy.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
