It was initially announced that the highly-anticipated sequel to the blockbuster film “Avatar” will finally make its way to the big screen by the end of 2017, in time for the holiday season.
However, recent updates about the upcoming film suggest that it might take a little longer before fans see what’s next for Jake and Neytiri.
According to The Wrap, 20th Century Fox confirmed that the release date for “Avatar 2” has been pushed back. The studio has not yet given a new date for the film nor the possible reason for the delay.
Director James Cameron said that the date is not as important as how the story would run. He said that even though they announced that they targeted Christmas of 2017 as the film’s release date, what’s more important is what he dubbed as the film’s meta-narrative.
Speaking to Montreal Gazette, Cameron explains that the important fact in the film is that once they get all three films done, they will drop them a year apart. He adds that each film stands alone, but each one also tells a much larger story.
Initially, it was announced that since the three sequels will be filmed back-to-back, the two other films were slated for a 2018 and 2019 release. It is likely that the release dates for the other two films have been pushed back also.
Movie News Guide reports that principal photography for the film is expected to begin this April 15 in New Zealand and Manhattan Beach with Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana reprising their lead roles as Jake Sully and Neytiri, respectively.
Production for the film is already in full swing. Aside from Zaldana and Worthington, Stephen Lang has also been confirmed to reprise the role of Colonel Miles Quaritch, the film’s antagonist.
Rumors are also rife that Sigourney Weaver will be returning to the film franchise despite her character, Dr. Grace Augustine, being killed off in the first film.
Reports say that one probable reason for the film’s delay is that director James Cameron is really working hard to exceed expectations for “Avatar 2.”
Apparently, the renowned filmmaker does not intend to meet the deadline for the sequel just for the sake of meeting it. Cameron promised fans that the sequels will deliver and he really intends to live by his word.
Ecumenical News reports that the ‘Titanic” director is working with inch-by-inch perfection, and the team behind the upcoming film is also working on an exclusive creative aspect that the audience has never seen yet.
The clamor for an “Avatar” sequel came just after hitting a benchmark for success after it was released back in 2009. Cameron was very open with the possibility of a sequel as he was up to the challenge since 2010.
By December 2013, Cameron was still at pre-production stage of “Avatar 2.” When asked about his vision for the film, he told the press that the sequel will be superbly exciting and that it will explore more of Pandora.
The sequel to the 2009 blockbuster film definitely deserves the patience of fans. What Cameron was able to do in the first film was enough to call it as one of the most epic films of all time.
Speculations say that the upcoming film will focus more on Jake and how he has adapted to the life of being an avatar.
In the first film, Jake almost died but Neytiri and the others were able to permanently transfer his body in an avatar form, saving his life.
Breathecast reports that the sequel will see Sully, now Na’vi avatar, becoming the tribe chief of Pandora. The website reports that Sully is now a promising leader of Pandora as well as a good head of his and Neytiri’s family.