James Cameron is frantically trying to get the aging cast of Avatar to record script readings for the fourth film in case someone dies before production begins, according to insiders who claim he is trying to get ‘everything done as quickly as possible’.
With the third film underway, the award-winning Canadian director, 69, could be taking desperate measures to ensure the fourth and fifth films – slated for 2029 and 2031 respectively – will be completed with or without cast members.
An insider close to the production revealed exclusively to DailyMail.com that the stars’ faces have already been loaded into computers so artificial intelligence can be deployed should tragedy strike the cast, which includes Sigourney Weaver, 74, Stephen Lang, 71, and Michelle Yeoh, 61.
“With a predominantly older cast, there have been discussions about reading the scripts for the fourth film in full and recording the vocal performances should the unthinkable – but certain for us all – happen,” they said.
James Cameron is frantically trying to get Avatar’s aging cast to record their scripts for the fourth film, according to insiders over fears the unthinkable could happen
An insider close to the franchise told DailyMail.com that James, 69, is trying to get ‘everything done as quickly as possible’ to future-proof the franchise (pictured Sigourney Weaver as Kiri)
Sigourney Weaver pictured behind the scenes covered in probes to help create her character and the visual effects
With an aging cast which includes Sigourney, 74, and Stephen Lang, 71, (pictured), James is keen to ensure they will all appear in the fourth and fifth installments
‘So much money is spent on these films. Getting all the performances done physically, but more importantly vocally, is very important.
‘No one wants anyone to die, but James understands that Sigourney, Stephen and Michelle are getting older as much as he is getting older and anything can happen.’
The insider stressed that these precautions are necessary and that James is making sure to get ‘everything done as quickly as possible’.
‘Everyone has stunt doubles and everyone’s face is already in the computer,’ they continued.
‘If something were to happen, it wouldn’t be an AI quick fix, but there is so much technology being used in these films that what they have would help if the unthinkable happens.
‘The third film is basically done, there’s only a handful of shoots that they have to take care of, but everything that needs to be done for the film has been shot and it will be released on time.’
Although James has already hinted that a sixth and seventh film could be on the way, it remains to be seen if he will direct.
He previously hinted that he could pass the baton after the fifth lap, but the insider claimed he could step down after the work wrap on the fourth.
The insider claimed that James (pictured at the Avatar: The Way Of The Water premiere in South Korea in 2022) is making sure to get ‘everything done as quickly as possible’
The second Avatar film starring Stephen (pictured) was released in 2022, 13 years after the original film
“James Cameron might stop at the fourth movie and get someone else to take over because he wants to do a few other things when he gets older,” they said.
‘But he also has a huge ego so he can stay put to finish the story.
‘The fourth film, for those who have read the script, have said it will be the best of the bunch, which is saying something since the previous films have been praised.’
The epic science fiction films have taken an extraordinarily long time to make because of the technology James required to tell his stories.
The first film premiered in 2009 and starred Sam Worthington, 47, and Zoe Saldana, 45, as title characters Corporal Jake Sully and Neytiri te Tskaha Mo’at’ite.
Sigourney stars as Kiri, daughter of Dr. Grace Augustine’s Na’vi avatar, who was adopted by Jake and Neytiri.
Stephen plays Miles Quaritch in the franchise, a human who led the forces of the RDA, the human organization colonizing Pandora
Michelle Yeoh is set to make her Avatar debut in the third film, which is slated for release in 2025
Stephen plays Colonel Miles Quaritch, who led the forces of the RDA, the human organization that colonized Pandora, and died in their conflict with the Na’vi in 2154.
Meanwhile, Michelle will make her debut in Avatar 3 as Dr. Karina Mogue.
The wait between Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water was a whopping 13 years, with the sequel releasing in 2022 after three years of filming.
Disney had previously announced a delay in the release dates for the next three Avatar films.
Avatar 3 is now set for release on December 19, 2025, followed by Avatar 4 on December 21, 2029 and Avatar 5 on December 19, 2031.
The original plan was to release the films two years apart starting in 2024.
The original Avatar movie had an eye-watering $237 million budget and brought in a staggering $2.92 billion at the box office.
The second film enjoyed similar success, also taking in $2.92 billion, but from an even larger budget of $350-460 million.
In January, Sam gave a major update on the development of Avatar 3, telling People: ‘We’re going back to work on it in a month and it’s huge. It’s bigger than you can imagine’.
Last month, James revealed that he had laid plans for the sixth and seventh Avatar films as he discussed the future of the popular franchise.
“We’re fully written through film five, and I have ideas for six and seven, though I’ll probably have to pass the baton on at that point,” he told People at the Saturn Awards.