Avatar: The Way of Water hasn’t ended its theatrical run yet as it continues to add to its box office total. But, while most of us can still watch Avatar 2 in movie theaters, a new update suggests that the third movie is already well underway with the filming wrapping up sooner than later.
Zoe Saldaña gives a surprising new update about Avatar 3. The actor reveals that the production team has a bit of work to do and will finish filming for the third movie this summer. This contracts a statement by director James Cameron who had claimed that Avatar 3 is "essentially in post-production" and that the filming for "the first act" of Avatar 4 has been completed.
Saldaña spoke with Canal+ at the 95th Academy Awards where she revealed that she is not yet done with the third movie.
"Well, we're here for two, celebrating two," Saldaña said during the interview. "I hope it makes best picture. And 'Avatar 3', we're going to go back this summer and finish that up. Because, allegedly, that's coming out in a year."
Zoë Saldana gave an update on the Avatar Sequels at the Oscars 2023 red carpet.
"Avatar 3 we’re gonna go back this summer and finish that up because allegedly it's coming out in the new year." #Avatar3 #AvatarTheWayOfWater #Avatar #Oscars pic.twitter.com/3yw5Qq0TpA
— Pandoran Vault (@PandoranVault) March 13, 2023
While it's a surprise that Avatar 3 will be continuing filming this summer, it's not uncommon for movies to add more scenes during the post-production process.
Cameron might have thought of making adjustments to the story based on the feedback that Avatar: The Way of Water received in its current theatrical run. The director might have also seen an opportunity to insert more scenes for Lo'ak, the narrator of the third movie.
Avatar 3 promises to give audiences a different view of the Na’vi. The movie will introduce a new fire-themed tribe called the Ash People. Oona Chaplin has been cast as Varang, the leader of the new tribe of Na’vi.
"I want to show the Na’vi in a different light because, so far, I have only shown their good sides," Cameron said of the third film. "In the early films, there are very negative human examples and very positive Na’vi examples. In Avatar 3, we will do the opposite."
Avatar 3 will also feature new biomes such as deserts and polar regions. Fans will get to explore more of Pandora in the third movie.
Avatar: The Way of Water is still currently in theaters while Avatar 3 is scheduled to premiere on December 20, 2024.
