'Avatar' sequels: Release date, plot, cast, trailer and all you need to know about the long-awaited James Cameron movies

It's been a long wait for the sequel to Cameron's hit 2009 movie but now the project has resumed filming in New Zealand and will soon be on its way to theaters
UPDATED MAY 16, 2020
Concept art for 'Avatar 2' (IMDb)
Concept art for 'Avatar 2' (IMDb)

James Cameron's long-gestating 'Avatar' franchise is finally set to move forward with 'Avatar 2' on the way. It's been a long wait for the sequel to Cameron's hit 2009 movie but now the project has resumed filming in New Zealand and will soon be on its way to theaters.

Here’s everything you need to know about the project.

Release Date

'Avatar 2' is set to release on December 17, 2021.

Plot

Set 12 years after Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) joined the Na'vi, the human-turned-Na'vi has formed a family with his mate Neytiri (Zoe Saldana). The movie will follow them on their travels across the expansive world of Pandora, introducing new allies from the Metkayina free-diving clan led by Tonowari (Cliff Curtis). However, things take a turn for the worse when the RDA returns to the planet to continue their mission.

Cast

Sam Worthington

'Avatar' (IMDb)

The British-born Australian actor will return to his role as the star of the franchise. Other returning cast members include Zoe Saldana, CCH Pounder, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel David Moore, Dileep Rao, Matt Gerald, Sigourney Weaver, and Stephen Lang. 

New cast members include Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, Jamie Flatters, Britain Dalton, Trinity Bliss, Bailey Bass, Filip Geljo, Duane Evans Jr, David Thewlis, Jack Champion, Edie Falco, Brendan Cowell, Michelle Yeoh, Jemaine Clement, Oona Chaplin, Vin Diesel, and CJ Jones.

Director

James Cameron

James Cameron (Getty Images)

The legendary filmmaker behind such timeless classics like 'The Terminator' and 'Titanic' will be returning to the director's chair for 'Avatar 2'. He has also developed the screenplay for the movie alongside Josh Friedman and helped create the story alongside Friedman, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, and Shane Salerno.

News

The movie has taken over a decade to begin production, mostly because of the technology required to complete Cameron's vision being still in development during that time. Preliminary shooting for the movie was completed in 2017 and motion-capture filming was completed in 2018.

Live-action filming began in New Zealand in April 2019 but was put on hold after the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, after New Zealand declared that films can resume production, filming is back on track and a set photo featuring Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, Sam Worthington, and Zoe Saldana was released on Twitter on May 13.  

Trailer

An official trailer for the upcoming movie is yet to be released but we'll be updating this section as soon as it becomes available. Stay tuned for more.

If you’re excited about this movie, you’ll also love these:

'Avatar'

'Aliens'

'Alita: Battle Angel'

'Guardians of the Galaxy'

'Pacific Rim'

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