'Avatar 2' release date news: will sequel be set underwater when it hits theaters in 2017?

(Reuters)

It has been 9 years since "Avatar" broke into the scene and made 3D movies a force to be reckoned with. Now it seems James Cameron is ready to release the first of the planned "Avatar" trilogy.

There is a lot riding on "Avatar 2" as fans eagerly anticipate what is next for the Na'vi and for Sully. There have also been reports that Cameron's movie will be superior in all aspects, technology and story wise. The director is rumored to be increasing the frame rate of the next film and that he is also developing a motion-capture technology which will be utilized for the movie's reported underwater scenes.

The late composer James Horner has more or less confirmed these underwater scenes in a previous interview. Horner, who previously worked with Cameron on both the "Titanic" and "Avatar" movies, mentioned that a lot of the scenes "will take place underwater which is a completely different environment."

But the director assures fans that despite using new-fangled technology for "Avatar 2," the sequel will still tug at viewers' core emotions. According to Cameron, the next two films are stand-alone films that will "also fulfill a greater story arc." He added that the movies "will continue to explore its themes and characters, which touched the hearts of audiences in all cultures around the world."

The original cast is still on board and just waiting for Cameron to give the go signal.

Zoe Saldana, who plays Neyriti, admitted that she does not know when "Avatar 2" will start filming but said "I'm waiting. My bags are still packed" while lead actor Sam Worthington says that Cameron has already given him a heads-up about getting training for underwater filming, another hint to the sequel's underwater location.

"Avatar 2" will reportedly be released during the Christmas holidays in 2017, with the next two installments tentatively scheduled for 2018 and 2019.

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