Covid 19 coronavirus: Avatar sequels to resume New Zealand production next week

The next four Avatar films will be made in New Zealand, with former Prime Minister Sir John Key saying the investment would be "significant" - a minimum of $500 million. Video / File

Oscar-winning Titanic producer Jon Landau has revealed the Avatar sequels will resume production next week in New Zealand.

He shared the news along with a photo of an Avatar set on social media.

"We couldn't be more excited to be headed back to New Zealand next week," he wrote.

Kate Winslet and Zoe Saldana star in the upcoming Avatar films. Photo / Twitter

"Check out the Matador, a high speed forward command vessel (bottom) and the Picador jetboat (top) — can't wait to share more."

View this post on Instagram

Our #Avatar sets are ready — and we couldn’t be more excited to be headed back to New Zealand next week. Check out the Matador, a high speed forward command vessel (bottom) and the Picador jetboat (top) — can’t wait to share more.

A post shared by Jon Landau (@jonplandau) on May 21, 2020 at 2:47pm PDT

Avatar will become the first major studio film to return to production since all shoots closed down in mid-March because of the coronavirus outbreak, according to Deadline.

Filming for Avatar has been on pause, but visual production work has been still underway in Manhattan Beach, California.

After the local film industry was halted, New Zealand's health and safety production protocols have now been endorsed by the Government so filming can resume.

From the set of the sequels: @JimCameron directing the actors before they dive underwater for performance capture.

Fun fact: That layer of white on the water's surface is comprised of floating balls that prevent lights from interfering with filming underwater. pic.twitter.com/dOBwS6qOXF

— Avatar (@officialavatar) May 6, 2020

Director James Cameron was reportedly in the process of filming live-action elements of the films when the pandemic struck.

According to the New Zealand Film Commission, every production in the country will now be required to complete a registration with portal ScreenSafe in order to help the Ministry of Health with contact tracing and WorkSafe with monitoring.

With a combined budget of $500 million, Avatar 2 and 3 are being filmed at the same time. Avatar 2 is scheduled to hit theatres in December 2021, and the third movie is due for release in 2023.

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