‘Avatar 2' release scheduled for Christmas 2018?
The sequel to James Cameron's blockbuster is reportedly slated to open in American theaters on December 21, 2018. At least, that's what a new release schedule from the 20th Century Fox studios seems to suggest.
At the Las Vegas CinemaCon back in April, James Cameron announced plans to make four sequels to "Avatar," with a first set to land in time for Holiday 2018. This provisional schedule now seems to be firming up, since 20th Century Fox has reserved a December 21, 2018, slot for an as-yet-untitled film from the director's production company.
"Avatar 2" would therefore land nine years after the first installment, which, to this day, remains the biggest global box-office hit of all time, grossing $2.8 billion worldwide. Episodes three, four and five are reportedly scheduled for 2020, 2022 and 2023. These follow-ups will be independent stories, standing alone as separate films while still forming part of the wider saga.
The second movie reunites Sam Worthington, in the role of paraplegic former Marine Jake Sully, with Zoe Saldana, who plays Neytiri, the young Na'vi woman from the planet Pandora. Their children are, in fact, expected to be the focus of this next installment, which will also star Sigourney Weaver and Stephen Lang, despite their characters being left for dead at the end of the first movie.
The 20th Century Fox studio will be making the most of a Christmas without a "Star Wars" movie release to release the blockbuster. The eighth episode will be the last film in the "Star Wars" franchise to open during the Holiday season, landing December 15, 2017. The Han Solo spin-off and episode nine are due May 25, 2018, and May 24, 2019, respectively.
Fox has also programmed release dates for two as-yet-unknown Marvel movies, November 2, 2018, and February 14, 2019. Several possibilities have been suggested by the specialist press, bearing in mind that Fox has the rights to "X-Men" and the "Fantastic Four."
These dates could be set aside for "Deadpool 2," which has just found a director (David Leiter), or a new film featuring the famous mutants. The studio also has a movie about superhero character Gambit in the pipeline, with Channing Tatum expected in the lead role.
