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James Cameron Says Avatar 2 May Still Be Ready For 2021 Release Date

James Cameron Says Avatar 2 May Still Be Ready For 2021 Release Date

'There's a very good chance that our shoot might be delayed a couple of months, but we can still do it'

Jake Massey

Jake Massey

Pre-coronavirus, we thought we'd have to wait until just before Christmas in 2021 before Avatar 2 hits the big screen. However, doubt has been cast over this release date after production came to a halt due to lockdown measures.

Fortunately, creator James Cameron remains confident that the much-anticipated blockbuster sequel can be wrapped up in time for the planned deadline, due to the fact that shooting is taking place in New Zealand, where the Covid-19 situation is comparatively favourable.

James Cameron is hopeful that Avatar 2 will still be ready in time for its 2021 release date.
PA

Speaking to Empire, he said: "It's putting a major crimp in our stride here. I want to get back to work on Avatar, which right now we're not allowed to do under state emergency laws or rules. So it's all on hold right now.

"We were about to shoot down in New Zealand, so that got pushed. We're trying to get back to it as quick as we can.

"On the bright side, New Zealand seems to have been very effective in controlling the virus and their goal is not mitigation, but eradication, which they believe that they can do with aggressive contact tracing and testing.

"So there's a very good chance that our shoot might be delayed a couple of months, but we can still do it. So that's good news."

The fact that so much of the production is taken up by visual effects means that progress is still being made remotely too.

The 65-year-old added: "We've got everybody - everybody at Weta Digital and Lightstorm - working from home to the extent that that is possible. But my work is on the stage doing the virtual cameras and so on, so I can do a bit of editing, but it's not great for me."

Here's hoping Cameron is right and the release date doesn't have to be put back - after all, the first film was released way back in 2009, so I think we can all agree we've waited long enough already.

Our patience will be rewarded with not one but two new Avatar films, with the third in the series currently due to be released in December 2023.

A fourth and fifth film were also announced back in 2017, though it seems a judgement call will be made on these once the trilogy is out of the way.

Speaking to Vanity Fair, Cameron said: "Let's face it, if Avatar 2 and 3 don't make enough money, there's not going to be a 4 and 5."

Featured Image Credit: 20th Century Fox

Topics: TV and Film