Science Fiction World

Avatar 2 and Avatar 3 are now officially James Cameron's next two films, with production beginning late 2011. Like the first film, Cameron has signed on with 20th Century Fox. He will start writing the two new Avatar movies early next year and is likely to film both back to back. Avatar managed a stunning $2.8 billion at the global box office to become the top grossing film of all time, toppling Cameron's previous best, Titanic, which made a pitiful $1.8 billion. It was a visually stunning 3D epic, even if the story was weak. According to Variety, a unique clause in the deal Cameron signed is that Fox will help co-fund the Avatar Foundation, which will support indigenous rights and the environment, including the fight against global warming. Part of the proceeds from future Avatar films will go to this foundation.

Given Avatar's success and the fact that Cameron had repeatedly said that the original investment in the 3D technology used would be off-set by any follow-ups, it's no surprise that Pandora will be with us for some time to come. 

"In the second and third films, which will be self-contained stories that also fulfil a greater story arc, we will not back off the throttle of Avatar's visual and emotional horsepower, and will continue to explore its themes and characters, which touched the hearts of audiences in all cultures around the world," Cameron said. "I'm looking forward to returning to Pandora, a world where our imaginations can run wild."

Avatar 2 is not expected until December 2014 and Avatar 3 in December 2015. I guess this will give Cameron plenty of time to release another 58 versions of the original film before then...