It would have been weird if they didn't reprise their roles in the franchise launched by the most successful box office performer of all time.
Sam Worthington and Zoë Saldana are indeed locked in for all three "Avatar" sequels, 20th Century Fox announced on Tuesday. Yes, James Cameron has officially cast his leading man and woman... again.
That ties both actors to the franchise through the 2018 release of "Avatar 4." Whoa. These are two very committed thespians.
Worthington will reprise his role as wounded former Marine Jake Sully; and Saldana will again be the blue creature of Pandora, Neytiri.
"Jake Sully is rare combination of passion, strength, street smarts and soul, which requires a lot from an actor," Cameron said via Fox's press release. "Sam brought to the role a combination of sensitivity, vulnerability and strength. Zoë captured every aspect of the character I envisioned, bringing to Neytiri a mix of delicacy, fierceness and incredible physicality. I am beyond pleased they¹ll be returning with us to Pandora."
Cameron is also bringing on a group of screenwriters to see his vision through to the fourth installment. He has hired Josh Friedman ("War of the Worlds"), Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver ("Rise of the Planets of the Apes"), and Shane Salerno ("Savages," "Salinger").
Having made $2.8 billion worldwide, 2009's "Avatar" remains the highest grossing film of all time. It won three Oscars and two Golden Globe Awards.
"Avatar 2" is scheduled to fly into theaters in Dec. 2016.
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