James Cameron, the visionary director behind the blockbuster “Avatar” franchise, has revealed exciting plans to expand the beloved world of Pandora into animation. In an exclusive interview with Empire magazine,Cameron shared that he has been in discussions with Disney about developing an animated anthology series,drawing inspiration from the success of “the Animatrix.”
“I said, ‘Look, I want to do an animated anthology series that’s essentially in the world, but stories that you wouldn’t have expected from that world’,” Cameron explained. He further hinted at the possibility of an animated feature film, which could be released either theatrically or directly to streaming platforms.
Cameron described the proposed anthology as a way to “add texture and baroque detail to the world of ‘Avatar,'” much like “The Animatrix” did for “The Matrix” trilogy. These animated stories would delve into character backstories and explore tangential narratives that occurred off-camera in the live-action films. Potential storylines include the very first expedition to Pandora and the initial landings on the alien moon.
“We haven’t done much with that yet. We’re still gathering our stories and that sort of thing, and I’ve got to find the boutique filmmakers, the animators, that want to do it,” Cameron stated, emphasizing the ongoing growth process and the search for the right creative talent.
The next installment in the live-action “Avatar” saga, “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” is slated for a theatrical release on December 19, produced by Disney and 20th Century Studios. This film marks the third chapter in Cameron’s ambitious five-movie narrative for the franchise.
Speaking about the upcoming film at the 2024 D23 Expo, Cameron promised audiences a deeper exploration of pandora, including the introduction of a more formidable Na’vi tribe. he described “Fire and Ash” as “an insane adventure and a feast for the eyes, but it’s also got very high emotional stakes, more than ever before. We’re going into really challenging territory for all the characters you know and love.”
