James Cameron outlines ambitious growth strategy for the 'Avatar' cinematic universe
James Cameron, the acclaimed director behind the groundbreaking live-action film Avatar, has announced plans for an animated anthology series and potential animated feature film set in the Avatar universe.
The animated projects, still in their early stages of development, aim to delve into stories that fans "wouldn't have expected from that world." These tales could include character backstories, off-camera events, and stories about Pandora's early expeditions.
Cameron has cited The Animatrix—an anthology of animated short films expanding on the Matrix universe—as a key inspiration for these animated projects. He believes they could add deeper texture and detail to the Avatar world.
In a conversation with Disney, Cameron discussed the anthology series as a means to tell new, tangential stories that expand Pandora’s lore. While progress on the project has been slow, it is officially in the works with an ambition to bring this additional content alongside the ongoing live-action Avatar films.
The proposed expansion is not a continuation of the existing Avatar movie series but rather an exploration of the universe's untold stories. It will be presented in an animated format, providing a unique and visually stunning take on the Avatar world.
Cameron is currently seeking boutique filmmakers and animators to bring these stories to life. He is gathering stories and ideas for the series, with the first expedition being a potential subject. The series could also include an animated anthology series, and there is a possibility of an animated feature film as well.
With these animated projects, Cameron aims to expand Avatar’s narrative beyond live-action films, adding "texture and baroque detail" to the franchise. The release date for one of these projects, Avatar: Fire and Ash, is set for December 19. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting expansion of the Avatar universe.
The animated anthology series and potential animated feature film, based on the Avatar universe, will present untold stories that fans wouldn't anticipate from that world, such as character backstories, off-camera events, and early expeditions on Pandora. James Cameron, the director of Avatar, aims to add more texture and baroque detail to the Avatar franchise through these animated projects.
