James Cameron talked about the idea of making sequels shortly after his huge hit film Avatar came out in 2009. The film earned an Oscar for Best Picture, and was a groundbreaking film in terms of the way that it was made.

As a result, it was announced recently that the team was planning for more films, and a total of three more are slated for release.

The film’s stars, Zoe Saldana and Sam Worthington, have now signed on for the sequels, and will reprise their roles of Neytiri and Jake Sully, respectively.

While most details on the plot of the film are being kept secret until the film is released, it has been revealed that Zoe Saldana’s character will have had kids with Jake by the start of the next film.

The sequels are expected to be released back to back to back starting in December of 2016, giving fans something to look forward to for a long time. The exciting story will continue on the distant planet of Pandora in more than two years, but fans are able to get excited for the following installments already.

three avatar sequels? really?? really? can hollywood just stop with all the sequels and start making quality standalone movies?

— Kami N. (@kamtwox) January 15, 2014

James Cameron is excited to bring back the two stars of the first Avatar and spoke highly of Zoe Saldana and Sam Worthington when saying “Sam brought to the role a combination of sensitivity, vulnerability and strength. Zoe captured every aspect of the character I envisioned, bringing to Neytiri a mix of delicacy, fierceness and incredible physicality. I am beyond pleased they’ll be returning with us to Pandora.”

Stephen Lang, who played the Marine Colonel who went crazy in the first film and eventually died, was the first actor to sign on for the sequels. Cameron has yet to reveal how he will be able to resurrect him, which should make for an interesting plot twist in the next film.

Errrrrr there's not one but THREE upcoming Avatar sequels. One movie was enough!

— Anniemated (@ana_belen22) January 15, 2014

Cameron will direct and produce the Avatar films alongside his producing partner Jon Landau. The sequels clearly have big shoes to fill in popularity as the original Avatar is still the highest-grossing film at the box office of all time.

Should more Avatar films be made? How do other fans feel about the upcoming films? Comment with your thoughts.

Since starring in Avatar in 2009, Zoe Saldana has appeared in a handful of films, and is set to appear in Marvel’s Guardians Of The Galaxy next. She was also recently cast in NBC’s Rosemary’s Baby miniseries and will likely reprise her role in the next Star Trek film, which is set for a release of 2016.

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