'Avatar 2' has been delayed indefinitely and will not premiere on the same month as 'Star Wars: Episode VIII'. It was original slated for a December 2017 release but might be in for a 2018 or 2019 release.
According to The Daily Mail, James Cameron's much-anticipated sequel to his 2009 blockbuster film has been indefinitely delayed and will not premiere on the originally scheduled December 2017 slot. 20th Century Fox declined to confirm the film's new release date. Cameron has not given any comment as of the reasons for the delay as of the present.
Another article by The Wrap revealed that Cameron plans to shoot back-to-back in New Zealand for the second and third installment of the planned trilogy. It was speculated that this would mean a new release date slated somewhere between 2018 and 2019. Jon Landau is returning to co-produce with Cameron through Lightstorm Entertainment.
The delay was reportedly rumored to have been caused by problems with production preparation as well as the studio's move to deflect competition with Rian Johnson's upcoming 'Star Wars: Episode VIII' slated to be released on December 15, 2017.
According to the Business Standard, the film is currently in pre-production and a shooting date has not been announced yet. Soundstage production as well as computer animation work for 'Avatar 2' are also being set up and in the early stages.
Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana are reprising their roles as the lead protagonists Jake Sully and Neytiri, respectively. Worthington's Jake was a disabled marine veteran thrust into the lush habitable planet of Pandora because of his involvement in the Avatar Program. He meets Saldana's Neytiri, a cheiftain's daughter of the Omaticaya, and the two fall in love despite the odds.
The original film also starred Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel David Moore and Sigourney Weaver. Although Weaver's Dr. Grace Augustine perished in 'Avatar', it was rumored that she would be returning to play a new character.
'Avatar 2' is the sequel to James Cameron's 2009 film of the same name. The original film was highly praised by critics and earned $2.78 billion against a $237 budget making the highest-grossing film of all time. It also won Oscars for Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography and Best Visual Effects.
