KEY POINTS

  • James Cameron revealed that they were “100% complete” on “Avatar 2”
  • The “Avatar” sequels will explore more regions of Pandora
  • “Avatar 2” is slated for a December 2022 release and “Avatar 3” hits theaters in 2024

"Avatar 2" filming has been completed and the movie is ready for post-production, director James Cameron confirmed.

While speaking with Arnold Schwarzenegger during the 2020 Austrian World Summit, an environmental conference, Cameron also revealed that he and his crew in New Zealand were now focused on finishing live-action segments for the third installment of the "Avatar" series.

"The day we deliver 'Avatar 2,' we’ll just start working on finishing 'Avatar 3,'" Cameron said. "So where we are right now, I’m down in New Zealand shooting. We’re shooting the remainder of the live-action. We’ve got about 10% left to go. We’re 100% complete on Avatar 2, and we’re sort of 95% complete on Avatar 3."

Filming for the second and third installments began in 2017. Both films were on schedule until earlier this year when the coronavirus pandemic forced production to shut down in March. Production resumed in New Zealand in June.

Although plot details are relatively scarce, producer Jon Landau previously revealed that Jake Sully and Neytiri will have a family of their own. The upcoming installment will also explore more regions in Pandora.

"Jake and Neytiri have a family in this movie, they are forced to leave their home, they go out and explore the different regions of Pandora, including spending quite a bit of time on the water, around the water, in the water," Landau told RNZ.

In January, the official concept art for the "Avatar" sequels gave fans glimpses of the different regions of Pandora, including islands surrounded by blue seas and floating rock formations. It also showed the Na'vi traveling around on great-winged banshees. Fans also got a glimpse of new aquatic creatures.

As for the cast, all the main characters will be back for the sequels.

Zoe Saldana will reprise her role as the Na'vi princess Neytiri and Sam Worthington will return as Jake Sully. A behind-the-scenes photo also revealed that Sigourney Weaver and Stephen Lang will return as Grace Augustine and Miles Quaritch, respectively.

Lang, who was the villain in the first movie, took two arrows to his chest and was presumed dead. His resurrection is one of the highly-anticipated scenes in the sequel.

"Steven was so memorable in the first film, we’re privileged to have him back," Cameron told Deadline. "I'm not going to say exactly HOW we're bringing him back, but it's a science fiction story, after all."

"His character will evolve into really unexpected places across the arc of our new three-film saga," he added. "I really look forward to working with such a gifted actor, who's also become a good friend."

"Avatar 2" is slated for a December 2022 release, with the third installment set for December 2024.

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James Cameron has once again delayed the release of “Avatar 2.” 20th Century Fox