James Cameron Talks Avatar Sequels

Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the past few centuries and have no idea what a ‘cinemaplex’ is, chances are you’ll have heard of AVATAR. The highest-grossing film of all time in Canada and the USA, director James Cameron’s global phenomenon won three Academy Awards, two Golden Globes and two BAFTAs. It’s no surprise, then, that sequels are in the works.

Much speculation and discussion has circulated the internet in the aftermath of the original film, with much of it coming from Cameron himself. In a recent video interview, the esteemed director offered a few more nuggets of information. ‘I’m really writing the second and third films together to complete a three-film story arc.’ Cameron told US show Nightline. ‘We will see the oceans of Pandora, and that’s an eco-system I’m dying to start designing.’

The first film’s themes revolved heavily around the environment and humanity’s ruthlessness in harvesting natural resources. Whilst a few of the plot points were slightly lazy or ridiculous – the resource so desperately sought by the human race, Unobtainium, is named after the plot device it acts as, for instance – the core message was clear: look what humanity is doing to nature; to the rainforests. Take a step back and look at the harm humanity is causing.

But whether you think it’s government propaganda, the saviour of the free world or just a bunch of hippy crap, Cameron knows that his films have to be ‘entertainment, first and foremost’, promising a distinct lack of Al Gore cameos. Of course, the themes and messages will carry over – it is a trilogy arc – but Cameron knows where his priorities are.

AVATAR 2 and 3 will also expand in scale – ‘there’ll be other planets as well,’ Cameron promised. ‘It’s a real cornucopia – a treat for the eyes.’ If AVATAR the first was anything to go by, we’re in for a bit more than a ‘treat’. Grossing more than two billion dollars worldwide, the original 2009 epic used all manner of 3D technology to immerse audiences in the world of Pandora.

James Cameron knows how to deliver on a film – think back to classics such as TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY (1991) or TITANIC (1997) – and the AVATAR franchise should continue to offer no less than his best.

AVATAR 2 and 3 will be directed by James Cameron and star Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana and Sigourney Weaver. They are currently targeted for December 2014 and 2015 releases, respectively.