'Avatar' sequels to resume production next week in NZ

MUMBAI: The production on James Cameron's much-awaited "Avatar" sequels is expected to restart in New Zealand next week.

Producer Jon Landau took to Instagram on Thursday to share that he and the rest of the "Avatar" cast and crew will be returning to New Zealand next week, reports variety.com.

"Our ‘Avatar' sets are ready. -- and we couldn't be more excited to be headed back to New Zealand next week," Landau wrote while sharing a photograph of two water vessels used in the films.

"Check out the Matador, a high speed forward command vessel (bottom) and the Picador jetboat (top) — can't wait to share more," he added.

The work on the "Avatar" sequels came to a halt in March with lockdown orders by the New Zealand government due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Also read: James Cameron gives first glimpse of 'Avatar 2'

Earlier in an interview with Empire for the new Celebration Of Cinema issue, Cameron shared that he is confident that his much-awaited "Avatar 2" will release as planned.

"Avatar 2" is currently slated for a release on December 17, 2021.

"I want to get back to work on ‘Avatar', which right now we're not allowed to do under state emergency laws or rules. So it's all on hold right now," Cameron said.

The filmmaker had shared that he was scheduled to take the filming to New Zealand before the lockdown.

"We were about to shoot down in New Zealand, so that got pushed. We're trying to get back to it as quick as we can," he said.

It is being believed that "Avatar 2" takes place 12 years after the events of the first movie. It follows Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) as he roams the planet of Pandora with the new family he has with Neytiri (Zoe Saldana).

The first part was a huge success, becoming the highest-grossing movie of all time when it released in 2009. Its worldwide record was broken last year by "Avengers: Endgame".

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