Third time's a charm. Fans of James Cameron's "Avatar" hope that that saying rings true. In an interview with the Toronto Star, the director said the second sequel for the film has been delayed for a third time. The second installment in the five-part film series had an original release date of December 2014. Cameron has yet to announce an official date but said 2018 is definitely not happening. So what's taking the second film so long?
"What people have to understand is that this is a cadence of releases. So, we're not making Avatar 2—we're making Avatar 2, 3, 4 and 5.
It's an epic undertaking," the 62-year-old director told the Toronto Star.
What we know about the second sequel to 'Avatar'
Cameron says the next four films can be made within the next eight years. Eight years may seem like a stretch to impatient fans but the director reminds audiences that "Avatar" took four years to make. Eight years now seems pretty reasonable. Actress Zoe Saldana will return as Neytiri and Sam Worthington will reprise his role as Jake Sully. The third installment of the film series, "Avatar 3" had a 2020 release date. "Avatar 4" was set to hit theaters in 2022 and "Avatar 5" a year later in 2023. But with the delay of "Avatar 2" it is unclear if the films will also be pushed back.
Fans can either watch the first or experience Pandora for themselves to get their fix. Pandora – The World of Avatar opens this spring at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom and fans will be able to experience epic visuals firsthand.
'Avatar' breaks box office records
"Avatar" has made more than $2.7 billion worldwide. The film was released in 2009 and its CGI and 3D capabilities had audiences flocking to see the movie.
The film quickly beat another James Cameron movie for worldwide box office sales. You know, the one about two people and a ship. Cameron's blue aliens beat out Jack and Rose's love story on the "Titanic." Some experts say the revenue is attributed to higher ticket prices, including the extra few bucks to see the film in 3D.