...there's a proper arc that plays out over two films...

[ISV Venture Star]

Avatar sequels to film in Mariana Trench, some dead characters will be returning - Coventry Telegraph - The Geek Files

In an interview in Total Film, he explains: "Right now the thinking is that Avatar 2 and 3 are going to be done together. I'm mapping out the storyline so there's a proper arc that plays out over two films, so you don't get the feeling you've sat through a three-hour movie and f*** all happened at the end."

Asked if the main cast would be back for the sequels, he hinted: "Not all. Some of them (the characters) are dead, but not everyone that is dead is not returning."

He confirms he'll be directing the two sequels but adds: "It's kind of a big decision because it means I'm in Pandora for a long time. But it'll be great. We'll reassemble the team - the emotion of working on the movie is so good that we'd be fools not to."

And on whether he can replicate the phenomenal success of the first film, he says: "There are no guarantees in this business. There are examples of a franchise being done very well, like The Lord of the Rings, where they protected the quality.

"But then you have The Matrix, where that didn't happen . I'd like to hope we can be more like the first example, but you never know."

[Fighter-of-Wars]

I hope he pulls a LOTR and not the Matrix. I hope he makes these movies because he wants to and pours his heart and soul into it. Not just to fill his pockets.

[Woodsprite]

Exciting news!

Expected news, though. I figured the two sequels would be done where one would directly lead to the next.

...But there are two differences between LotR and the Matrix trilogy.

1) LotR was a book series written over years of time, with tons of research, while the Matrix trilogy was done in very little time by comparison, and (IMO) still turned out pretty good. Though, there are those who disliked them.

2) LotR was filmed with a reference point to go by. Jackson and co. had everything already mapped out for them in Tolkien's books. The Matrix trilogy was an original story written on the spot by two brothers with ideas, and no reference point except how far their creativity could go in the limited time they had.


This brings the question to mind: since Cameron is pretty much winging it by writing a novel and writing/filming two ultra-hard-to-film movies that are both Avatar-related in less than a 7-year period of time, is he going to have the same problems the Wachowski brothers did when they were making the sequels to their own story?

Peter Jackson had reference to books that were written, researched, and thought-up over decades by a contemplative and honored scholar. Cameron... doesn't have that experience. I'm worried now.

[ISV Venture Star]

Originally Posted by Woodsprite

Peter Jackson had reference to books that were written, researched, and thought-up over decades by a contemplative and honored scholar. Cameron... doesn't have that experience. I'm worried now.

OTOH... Cameron always has good, simple compelling stories. Even if some of them are kind of... borrowed.

100% track record making decent sequels.

[Patrice Maire]

... but not everyone that is dead is not returning."

Now wait a minute. There are four primary characters that died. The only one that I can believe would be feasible to come back would be Grace. She ended her life with Eywa and would make the most sense emotionally.
That will be soooo cooool!
If he brings back that jackass Quaritch I think I'm going to hurt someone just on plot points.

[Advent]

Originally Posted by Patrice Maire

If he brings back that jackass Quaritch I think I'm going to hurt someone just on plot points.

Well go ahead. I believe in an interview, Steven Lang said: "It ain't over while I've got DNA."

[Tymian]

imo it's more like he wishes to return ...

[Human No More]

I agree with Tymian

Great news though, I want the sequel, even if I have been worried about it recently...