James Cameron Says He’s Done Writing All Four AVATAR Sequels

According to a new interview with James Cameron, writing has been completed on all four Avatar sequels and production will begin earnest within the year. That's right, folks: these movies are actually going to happen.

Asked by The Daily Beast how progress is coming on Avatar 2, Cameron says:

The thing is, my focus isn’t on Avatar 2. My focus is on Avatar 2, 3, 4, and 5 equally. That’s exactly how I’m approaching it. They’ve all been developed equally. I’ve just finished the script to Avatar 5.

I’m now starting the process of active prep. I’ll be working with the actors in the capture volume in August, so I’m booked in production every day between now and then. Our volume is up and running, and everything is designed, and so we’re going full-guns right now. I feel like I’ve been let out of jail, because I’ve been in the writing cave for the last two years. I’m actually enjoying life. I don’t enjoy writing. I wouldn’t wish writing on a dog.

It's been nearly eight years since the original Avatar came along and changed the game forever, which is something of an eternity in the world of sprawling franchise filmmaking. The reason for the hold-up can be ascribed to any number of things, but most recently the issue's been these screenplays: apparently Cameron wanted the whole shebang down on paper before starting production on the first sequel. 

Right now, the plan is to have Avatar 2 in theaters in December of 2018. Is that doable? We're going to find out. In the meantime: are you guys legitimately excited for these sequels? Ambivalent? Actively hoping they don't occur for some reason? I'm curious to hear where your heads are at in the comments below.