While the coronavirus pandemic has shuttered several film productions around the world, one production is starting back up: Avatar 2. The sequel to James Cameron’s 2009 sci-fi film is only a year-and-a-half away, and along with the news of production restarting, we also have a picture from the set.
Franchise producer, Jon Landau, made the announcement with the picture on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBeaZZ0JDX-/?utm_source=ig_embed
The production of the film is in New Zealand, seemingly the only place on this planet that has things under control with the pandemic. However, this doesn’t mean the restart in production isn’t without controversy. Several politicians have expressed concern that the film is getting special treatment with the crew being allowed to travel back to the country when travel is still limited for others.
Landau’s photo also doesn’t show us very much about the movie; it’s really just a lot of green and blue screens, with James Cameron sitting in a chair. The VFX are what is really going to make the movie, so don’t expect any spoilers or hints to be in this picture.
Avatar 2 is being filmed simultaneously with the third movie, the movies releasing in 2021 and 2023, respectively. The odds of them sticking with those dates seems pretty good given how far out they are still. But you never know if it will pushed back (again) to allow for delayed movies to release.
It wouldn’t be unfamiliar territory for that to happen. Originally, the film was supposed to come out in 2014. Then it was moved to 2018 when we found out we were getting four sequels. Once upon a time, this was the year we would be getting ready for Avatar 3.
The first film, while narratively uninspired, was a special effects feast and became the highest-grossing film of all-time, until Avengers: Endgame took that honor. It may be more than a decade when we get the sequel but we are sure it will bring in plenty of money. Cameron has given us some of the biggest – and best – films ever, and he still has a name that brings in audiences. We can only hope that the story is a little more original this time around.
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