Avatar 2 delayed because of Avatar 3, 4 and 5, reveals James Cameron: 'This is a cadence of releases'

He likened directing the sequels to building the Three Gorges dam

All was looking good for Avatar 2 - shooting was set to begin this summer following the completion of scripts for Avatar 3, Avatar 4 and Avatar 5.

James Cameron has now revealed that the planned release date for the film is now being pushed back once again because they're planning on filming several sequels at once.

Despite Avatar 2 being scheduled for Christmas 2018, the filmmaker told The Toronto Star: “Well, [that] is not happening.”

“What people have to understand is that this is a cadence of releases. So, we’re not making Avatar 2 - we’re making Avatar 2, 3, 4 and 5. It’s an epic undertaking. It’s not unlike building the Three Gorges dam.”

Considering it took Cameron four-and-a-half years to make the first Avatar, which was released in 2009, it makes sense that the filming of four additional films would take some time.

The sequels were due to be fanned out up until 2023, but it seems fans will have to wait even longer to catch up with the Na'vi.

Cameron, who will also return to The Terminator franchise following the dire 2015 effort Terminator: Genisys, last year revealed plans to show a future Avatar film in 3D without the need for 3D glasses.