John Oliver says “no-one gives a shit” about ‘Avatar’ sequels
Four new movies in the franchise are touted to be released across the next decade
John Oliver has hit out at the upcoming ‘Avatar’ sequels, saying “no-one gives a shit” about the planned follow-ups to the divisive 2009 film.
The long-awaited ‘Avatar 2’ is set to be released on December 16, 2022, and will star Kate Winslet and Vin Diesel alongside much of the original cast from the first film.
Across the following six years, another three ‘Avatar’ movies are in the pipeline, with ‘Avatar 3’ pencilled in for 2024, with fourth and fifth instalments currently planned for 2026 and 2028 respectively.
Speaking on his ‘Last Week Tonight’ show (per Uproxx), Oliver shared his disdain for the forthcoming sequels, and said he believes that all appetite for ‘Avatar’ follow-ups has gone in the 12 years since the release of the original.
“There are things it’s OK to take a decade on and not deliver on: the ‘Avatar’ sequels, for instance,” he said.
“Take your time on those, James Cameron. No one gives a shit. I will give anyone in this audience $1,000 right now if they remember either of these characters’ names.”
A synopsis for ‘Avatar 2’, which began filming in 2017, reads: “Jake Sully and Neytiri have formed a family and are doing anything to stay together. However, they are forced to leave their home and explore the different regions of Pandora; when their old threat returns to finish what they started.”
Speaking of the slew of planned sequels back in 2016, director Cameron said: “We have decided to embark on a truly massive cinematic process.
“I’ve been working the last couple of years with a team of four top screenwriters to design the world of ‘Avatar’ going forward: The characters, the creatures, the environment, the new cultures.
“So far, the art I’m seeing is, in pure imagination, really far beyond the first film. It’s going to be a true epic saga.”