Avatar 4 officially begins principal photography, marking the next chapter in James Cameron’s acclaimed sci-fi franchise. Actor Stephen Lang, known for his role as Colonel Quaritch, shares a sneak peek behind the scenes via Instagram, signaling the start of filming for Avatar 4. In Lang’s post, he wears a motion capture suit adorned with Colonel Quaritch’s name, accompanied by a playful reference to the character: “Deja Blu all over again.”
This announcement coincides with James Cameron’s recent update on Avatar 4’s progress, revealing that parts of the film have already been shot despite initial plans to commence after Avatar 3’s release. Cameron explains the decision, citing a planned time jump within the storyline, indicating that filming for the part post-time jump is yet to begin.
Despite facing numerous delays since its 2010 announcement, Avatar 4 encountered setbacks, including delays attributed to WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in June. Nonetheless, Cameron and producer Jon Landau confirmed in 2022 that the first act of Avatar 4 had been captured, earning accolades for Cameron’s script. As the schedule stands, Avatar 4 is slated to premiere 20 years after the original release, hitting theaters in December 2029.
Returning alongside Lang for Avatar 4 are familiar faces including Sam Worthington, Zoë Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, and Britain Dalton. The cast and crew overcame challenges, including navigating through post-production processes amidst the COVID-19 pandemic while filming Avatar 3, which introduces new tribes and sets the stage for subsequent sequels. Despite speculations surrounding its title, Avatar 3 is yet to receive an official name.
