It will be a long way to go before "Avatar 2" hits the silver screen. At the moment, it is scheduled for a Christmas 2018 release, but this is not set in stone yet.
Speaking to Variety, director James Cameron said that, although this is the target date, it can be altered if the circumstances call for it as the filmmaker is more concerned about the gap between the release schedules of the four "Avatar" films.
"We haven't moved that target yet, but we will if we need to. The important thing for me is not when the first one comes out but the cadence of the release pattern," Cameron said.
"I want them to be released as close together as possible. If it's an annual appointment to show up at Christmas, I want to make sure that we're able to fulfill on that promise," he went on to say.
Previous reports suggested that Cameron does not want to tackle "Star Wars Episode 8" head on in the cinemas, which is why the release date for "Avatar 2" is being moved.
However, it looks like the filmmaker's decision to move the release date will be made in favor of a better pacing of the releases of the films rather than a throwdown with the abovementioned Disney film.
Cameron stated in the same Variety interview that the films will make for a "family saga" and will follow Jake (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) and their children.
As per SlashFilm, this could involve the former marrying the latter to become the new chief of the tribe, as suggested in previous rumors. In "Avatar 2" and onwards, the family's unity will be tested by a war brewing in the alien world of Pandora.
Cameron also revealed that "Toruk," the prequel to the "Avatar" films performed by the Cirque de Soleil, will give fans an idea of what to expect in the movies in terms of tone and vibe.
"Thematically, 'Toruk' manages to land very, very closely to the feeling of where the sequel stories are going," the director explained.
