Love it or hate it, Avatar will forever be remembered as one of the most successful box office grosses in the history of film. Now its two main stars have just committed for up to three more sequels.
Zoe Saldana (who played Pandora native Neytiri) and Sam Worthington (a paraplegic Marine Jake Sully) have officially inked deals that will lock them into the ongoing saga, as James Cameron looks to stretch the story arch across three additional films. In regards to both actors committing to the project long term, Cameron said, “Jake Sully is a rare combination of passion, strength, street smarts and soul, which requires a lot from an actor. Sam brought to the role a combination of sensitivity, vulnerability and strength. Zoe captured every aspect of the character I envisioned, bringing to Neytiri a mix of delicacy, fierceness and incredible physicality. I am beyond pleased they’ll be returning with us to Pandora.”
The original Avatar was released in 2009 and is currently the highest grossing movie of all time. Other box office records it broke include biggest January weekend ever, highest grossing sci-film of all time and most successful movie to feature a CG star (just to name a few).
The current sequels are set to begin filming this December or early January of 2015, and will be shot back-to-back-to-back. The first is set for theatrical release in 2016.