New Delhi (India), 15th June 2023: Zoe Saldana has reacted to the news that three anticipated sequels to ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ have been delayed. The actress made a reference to the recently discovered news that the three planned sequels to ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ from last year have been postponed via her Instagram stories.
“Great! I’ll be 53 when the last avatar is released,” Saldana, 44, joked atop the news article, adding an emoji of a shocked look.
She further added, “I was 27 when I shot the very first @avatar movie.”
According to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, Disney, the distributor behind the hit sci-fi franchise, revealed Tuesday that Avatar 3 will be released in theatres on December 19, 2025, Avatar 4 on December 21, 2029, and Avatar 5 on December 19, 2031.
Saldana starred as Neytiri, a bow-and-arrow-wielding Na’vi warrior and mother in James Cameron’s Oscar-winning ‘Avatar,’ which was released in 2009 and remains the world’s highest-grossing film of all time. Filming for the first installment began in 2007.
If ‘Avatar 5’ is the franchise’s final installment and its rumoured 2031 release date holds true, the entire on-screen series will stretch 22 years.
According to writer-director James Cameron, who also hinted at this while keeping production and story details under wraps, the film’s protagonist, Sam Worthington’s Jake Sully, would not be the narrator of following tales.
He stated that Lo’ak, Jake’s adolescent son originally referenced in The Way of Water, will function as the narrator in Avatar 3. Britain Dalton portrays Lo’ak.
Saldana also revealed to PEOPLE how she prepared to reprise her role as Neytiri after years between filming Avatar and its sequel. She said, “It did take a little more time for my body to assimilate, to return to some of the exercises and the practices. I’m proud of the fact that [Cameron] has lost bets of whether or not I can hit a mark [with my archery]. I think the first time was a hundred bucks?”
