Sigourney Weaver talks Avatar sequels development

We’ve heard from several sources that filmmaker James Cameron has actually been shooting bits and pieces of his upcoming Avatar sequels for the last several years. While doing an exclusive interview at The Monster Calls junket in New York, we asked actress Sigourney Weaver (who will reprise Dr. Grace Augustine in the films) to clarify what exactly Cameron has been tinkering on all these years. She confirmed that Cameron has been shooting material, though it might not actually make its way to the screen…

“I think what he’s been doing is trying to develop the technology,” Weaver clarified to us. “We’re going to do all four simultaneously, so I think he’s trying to make sure that he has really done all the groundwork so when he really starts these four we’ll be able to hit the ground running. So I don’t think he’s actually… he IS experimenting. I don’t know if any of that would end up in the movie ’cause it’s not actually any of the story, but I’m sure he’s trying to figure out how to photograph an animal in this situation, things like that, so on the day he doesn’t have to waste time finding that out.”

We then asked if she’s been a part of any of this “experimentation” phase in the development of the Avatar sequels.

“Conversationally, yes,” Weaver confirmed. “I’ve read three of the four scripts and if you liked the first one hold onto your hat. It is so ambitious and it is so moving. Nothing like it.”

When we added that we can’t wait to see these next four movies, Weaver joked, “You have to, though!” (laughter)

Earlier this year, 20th Century Fox revealed that the first Avatar sequel is expected to hit theaters in December 2018 and would be followed by three more films in December 2020, December 2022, and December 2023. Confirmed to feature the return of cast members Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang and Sigourney Weaver, the Avatar sequels will be produced by Cameron and Jon Landau through their Lightstorm Entertainment. The sequels are written by Cameron along with Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, Josh Friedman, and Shane Salerno.

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