Avatar 2 has been delayed indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic, James Cameron has confirmed.
The film, which was scheduled to be released 17 December, 2021, will now be released one year later on 16 December, 2022. The three sequels will also be bumped by a year, meaning the five-film Avatar franchise will finally be completed by Christmas 2028.
Disney, which is releasing the film, have also announced they are pulling the scheduled releases of Mulan and Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch, with replacement dates for both currently unknown.
In a statement, Cameron said: “Due to Covid-19, we were forced into an unexpected lengthy delay in starting the live action filming we are currently doing in New Zealand. What most of you likely do not know is that the pandemic is still preventing us from being allowed to recommence most of our virtual production work on stages in Los Angeles. That work is just as critical to the films as the live action work.
“Prior to Covid-19, everything was on track to bring you the first sequel in December of 2021. Unfortunately, due to the impact that the pandemic has had on our schedule it is no longer possible for us to make that date.”
Mulan, which was previously scheduled for release on 21 August, will now be released at a later date. It is unknown if its UK release, currently dated for 19 August, will also be affected.
Other dates affected by the Disney reshuffling include the Ridley Scott historical drama The Last Duel, starring Adam Driver and Jodie Comer, which will now open on 15 October, 2021 instead of Christmas 2020.
An untitled Star Wars film will now open on 22 December, 2023, with two follow-up Star Wars movies following over the succeeding Christmas seasons.
