It’s not the Avatar movie we want, but considering how awful the internet is, perhaps it’s the one we deserve. Despite multiple setbacks, James Cameron is intent on releasing Avatar 2 onto the general public. Avatar 2 was initially supposed to release in December 2014, five years after the release of 2009’s Avatar. Delay after blissful delay has lulled the general public into a false belief that the planned series of films would never actually happen. Our day of reckoning is drawing nearer. Avatar 2 is now set to release in theaters on December 16, 2022.
For Real, Guys. I Swear it’s Happening This Time
James Cameron will be directing the film. This will be his first time behind the camera since the last Avatar film. Cameron and Josh Friedman (Terminator: Dark Fate, The Black Dahlia) share writing credits with Cameron doing the character work and Friedman handling the screenplay. Cameron will also serve as a producer alongside Jon Landau. Russell Carpenter (True Lies) is the cinematographer. 20th Century Studios returns as the production company in association with TSG Entertainment and Lightstorm Entertainment.
Avatar 2 will have a star-studded cast filling the CGI feet of the Na’vi. Sam Worthington will return as Sully along with his main squeeze Zoe Saldana as Neytiri. Also returning are Sigourney Weaver as Dr. Grace Augustine, Carol Christine Hilaria (Godzilla: King of Monsters), and Giovanni Ribisi as Parker Selfridge. Joining them in the nautical misadventures will be Michelle Yeoh (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), Kate Winslet (Titanic), Vin Diesel (Fast and the Furious), Jermaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords), and Edi Falco (Nurse Jackie).
In an interview with the Empire podcast, James Cameron had said that Avatar 2 and its sequels will be going to “dark places”. From Cameron:
It would seem that James Cameron is aware that many audiences weren’t left with much of an impression of Avatar beyond the pretty scenery and special effects. The story was laughable at best as it was criticized for being a retelling of Pocahontas meets The Smurfs. Despite this, it went on to become the highest-grossing movie of all time. So, what do I know? We’ll see if this release date holds. Should it change, we’ll keep you updated.
“Having gone through the experience with [Sam Worthington] on Avatar,” Cameron continued, “I now knew how to write the Jake character going forward across the emotional rollercoaster of the next four movies. It’s been tough on him. He’s done two pictures back to back now, because we did 2 and 3 together. He had to go to some dark places.”
