LATEST NEWS
James Cameron Compares 'Avatar' Sequels to 'The Godfather' Trilogy
by Ethan Anderton
December 16, 2013
Source: AP
We already know that we're getting three sequels to follow the 2009 blockbuster giant Avatar from director James Cameron. A press release from 20th Century Fox and Lightstorm Entertainment confirms all of the sequels will shoot in New Zealand, just like Peter Jackson's trilogies for Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Now Cameron has talked about the new series of films with The Associated Press and revealed some vague details. The most revealing quote descibes how the story will expand around Jake Sully. Cameron says the sequels will "spread it around quite a bit more as we go forward. It's really the story of his family, the family that he creates on Pandora. His extended family. So think of it as a family saga like The Godfather."
As for how the sequels will expand the universe in which the films exists, Cameron says:
"It's going to be a lot of new imagery and a lot of new environments and creatures across Pandora. We're blowing it out all over the place. At first I thought I was going to take it onto other worlds as well, in the same solar system, but it turned out not to be necessary. I mean the Pandora that we have imagined will be a fantasy land that is going to occupy people for decades to come, the way I see it."
As for the rumor that most of the second film will be set underwater, Cameron clears things up:
"There's a fair bit of underwater stuff. It's been inaccurately said that the second film takes place underwater. That's not true. There are underwater scenes and surface-water scenes having to do with indigenous ocean cultures that are distributed across the three films."
And that's all we know for now. The films are slated to start shooting next fall, and they will be released consecutively in December each year starting in 2016. Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana will reprise their leading roles, and Stephen Lang is also a part of all three sequels despite seemingly dying in the first film. We'll be interested to see how audiences turn out for the first Avatar sequel when it arrives seven years after the first film hit the big screen in 2009. We assume the audience can only get bigger, but we'll see.
32 Comments
1
why does this feel like a lett down? reason:no new material from the king until 2022!
Avi on Dec 16, 2013
2
How are three Avatar films not new? I'm assuming you mean original IP's? I'm not let down. Avatar is a great film world to get lost in for a few years. I'm sure he won't take a 4 year break after the third one is released in 2018.
David Diaz on Dec 16, 2013
3
How did my post get duplicated as a guest above? Weird.
David Diaz on Dec 16, 2013
4
Well James Cameron has officially gone crazy.
Charlie Hard on Dec 16, 2013
5
And your reading comprehension and ability to be manipulated by headlines is amazing
JohnDoe on Dec 16, 2013
6
Oh John Doe, your inner fanbois is showing again.
Aimee on Jan 9, 2014
7
Other than breaking new ground in the visual department avatar was very lacklustre
Jon Odishaw on Dec 16, 2013
8
Agreed. It had a beautiful landscape with a cut-and-paste story. Cameron has already ripped off Dances With Wolves and Pocahontas; now he's telling us, straight up, that he will be ripping off The Godfather. I don't believe that's an idle comparison he made; I think he will outright steal the structure of the Godfather films for these Avatar movies.
DaveLister_JMC on Dec 16, 2013
9
That's a brave assumption, he only compared it to centering on a family. The article headline is a bit lawyered, or at least not clear. Reads almost like io9 wrote it.
OfficialJab on Dec 16, 2013
10
It *is* an assumption; but I'm sticking by it for now. The first film was so entirely derivative, I don't think there's a whole lot of chance we'll get anything different at this point.
DaveLister_JMC on Dec 16, 2013
11
I'm banking that he's learned from all of the criticism.
OfficialJab on Dec 16, 2013
12
I hope so. He is certainly capable of writing a good, original story.
DaveLister_JMC on Dec 16, 2013
13
hahahahahhahahahahah STFU
JohnDoe on Dec 16, 2013
14
Excited for these films
hawk99 on Dec 16, 2013
15
That makes one of us.
Aimee on Dec 16, 2013
16
LMAO.
John on Dec 16, 2013
17
Avatar haters are such douchebags Movie makes 2.7 billion Gets over 80% at RT But despite that there are retards like Aimee that act like it's garbage
JohnDoe on Dec 16, 2013
18
So money=quality? Technically speaking, the movie was amazing. One of the most beautiful films I've ever seen. But I personally felt the story was mediocre, and I think Worthington is one of the most overrated actors out there. I'm not at all excited over the sequels, but I'll still check them out. Cameron is great filmmaker and I'm sure it'll be a fun watch. But just because there are those of us who were disappointed doesn't make us douchebags or retards.
grimjob on Dec 16, 2013
19
Yeah, the Transformers movies must be masterpieces too because money.
cobrazombie on Dec 17, 2013
20
worthington i consider as just a guy who is on tv. he doesnt act because all of his characters are sam worthington. agreed, absolutely gorgeous film, but it was essentially Pocahontas with a shit load of blue aliens, or dances with wolves with not so much handlebar moustache.
Alex Williams on Dec 19, 2013
21
Hmmm, I wonder if more handlebar moustache would have improved it? I say yes, but we may never know.
grimjob on Dec 19, 2013
22
So says "John Doe." Hey John…I was saying I wasn't looking forward to the sequels. I didn't say Avatar was sh*t. However, since you started throwing the insults around, I'd like to say that not only is Avatar a complete piece of crap, that will only be remembered in the future for it's crappiness, but you sir are a fanbois of the highest level. I bet James Cameron could take a dump on your front porch, and you would tell all your friends that they totally needed to see it, and that it was a masterpiece.
Aimee on Jan 9, 2014
23
aw sweet! the sequel will be great and the 3rd will be dogshit! cant wait :D:D:D
Alex Williams on Dec 16, 2013
24
and for everyone who will be mad at that statement, its only a joke. im sure they will all be stellar
Alex Williams on Dec 16, 2013
25
I don't think that was so rough that you needed to buy it back.
OfficialJab on Dec 16, 2013
26
You weren't that far off. Godfather 3 was boring as shit. The only thing I liked about it was seeing Connie finally NOT being a whiny bitch, and actually settling in to the family biz.
grimjob on Dec 16, 2013
27
lol
Christopher Philip Cinquegrano on Dec 16, 2013
28
Misleading headline
JohnDoe on Dec 16, 2013
29
I hate avatar. I hate every single thing about it. James Cameron is going fucking nuts.
speedracer on Dec 16, 2013
30
I never wanted to watch Avatar again after seeing it at the theater. Video game visuals and a terrible script ensure no repeat viewings here.
cobrazombie on Dec 17, 2013
31
Avatar was visual feast for me & NOTHING MORE I'm not exited for these sequels but definitely watch'em all If cameron would making 3 different projects , That became my all-time dream. Pity for me , Good for him
Ehsan Davodi on Dec 17, 2013
32
Well, in that case: Can't wait to see his daughter ruining Avatar 3!
DavideCoppola on Dec 17, 2013
New comments are no longer allowed on this post.
FEATURED POSTS
FOLLOW FS HERE
Follow Alex's main account on Twitter:
Add our posts to your Feedly › click here
Get all the news sent on Telegram 
LATEST TO WATCH