Cogs Begin to Turn on Avatar Sequel Set

Leave it to James Cameron to find a way to work through a pandemic, Yohana Desta writes for Vanity Fair. Like every other major film production, the Avatar sequel – which has been in the works for half your life – came to a halt when the coronavirus became a global concern, forcing its cast and crew to abandon their New Zealand set back in March. Now, however, the country is giving film and TV productions the greenlight to resume, allowing team Avatar to spring back into action.

Producer Jon Landau recently posted a photo on Instagram of two boats on the Avatar 2 set, writing that the team is planning to head back next week, Desta reports for the US magazine.

“Our #Avatar sets are ready – and we couldn’t be more excited to be headed back to New Zealand next week,” he wrote. “Check out the Matador, a high speed forward command vessel and the Picador jetboat – can’t wait to share more.”

The New Zealand Government put new health and safety production protocols into place in early May, enabling TV and film shoots to resume production here. Aside from Avatar and local productions, Amazon’s Lord of the Rings series will also now be able to resume filming in the country.

Original article by Yohana Desta, Vanity Fair, May 22, 2020.