‘Avatar’ Sequels Will Reportedly Cost $1 Billion To Resume Production In New Zealand

Published on May 13, 2020.

The highly-anticipated Avatar sequels might be some of the first movies to start filming again after Hollywood was shut down due to ongoing public health situation.

According to Deadline, movie productions can once again resume in New Zealand, as the country has approved new health and safety production protocols. In addition, the outlet confirmed some TV and movie productions are already underway.

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New Zealand has been recently praised for its handling of the ongoing public health crisis.

With the country’s new health and safety production protocols approved, the four Avatar sequels can resume production again in the coming months. According to The Hollywood Reporter, visual effects for the films have continued to be worked on amid the filming delay. The publication also reported that the four announced sequels, which are all being shot at the same time, are budgeted at around $1 billion.

The first Avatar sequel is slated for a December 2021 release. The three other sequels are expected to follow in 2021, 2025 and 2027.

Avatar‘s producer Jon Landau previously confirmed to The New Zealand Herald that the sequels productions shut down in March, adding, We’re in the midst of a global crisis and this is not about the film industry. I think everybody needs to do now whatever we can do, as we say here, to flatten the curve.”

Meanwhile, the official Avatar account has been sharing some behind-the-scenes shots of actors and director James Cameron on set. Recently, the account shared photos of the process behind filming underwater.

“From the set of the sequels: @JimCameron directing the actors before they dive underwater for performance capture. Fun fact: That layer of white on the water’s surface is comprised of floating balls that prevent lights from interfering with filming underwater,” the account tweeted.

When a follower asked why they used floating balls and not just any darker surface, the official account revealed it’s because “the floating balls allow the actors to resurface safely when needed.”

From the set of the sequels: @JimCameron directing the actors before they dive underwater for performance capture.

Fun fact: That layer of white on the water's surface is comprised of floating balls that prevent lights from interfering with filming underwater. pic.twitter.com/dOBwS6qOXF

— Avatar (@officialavatar) May 6, 2020

The floating balls allow the actors to resurface safely when needed.