'We're going full-guns right now': James Cameron reveals he's finished writing scripts for Avatar's FOUR sequels... as Zoe Saldana confirms filming will start this summer

By Joanna Crawley For Mailonline

Published: 05:29 EST, 3 February 2017 | Updated: 05:48 EST, 3 February 2017

It's been over seven years since Avatar wowed audiences around the world.

And after working for six years, the groundbreaking movie's writer and director James Cameron has revealed he's finally finished writing four sequels to the box office smash.

The filmmaker admitted to The Daily Beast that it's been a long process but he's ready to assemble his cast and crew, including returning lead actors Zoe Saldana (Neytiri) and Sam Worthington (Jake), to begin production.

Coming soon: After working for six years, Avatar's writer and director James Cameron has revealed he's finally finished writing four sequels to the 2009 box office smash

Filming for Avatar 2 will being in August, but Cameron explains he's also very much focused on a further three sequels. 

'The thing is, my focus isn't on Avatar 2. My focus is on Avatar 2, 3, 4, and 5 equally,' he told The Daily Beast.

'That's exactly how I'm approaching it. They've all been developed equally. I've just finished the script to Avatar 5. I'm now starting the process of active prep.'

Working hard: The filmmaker admitted to The Daily Beast that it's been a long process but he's ready to assemble his cast and crew

'I'll be working with the actors in the capture volume in August, so I'm booked in production every day between now and then.'

The Oscar-winning filmmaker continued that he's excited for the next phase of production: 'Our volume is up and running, and everything is designed, and so we're going full-guns right now. I feel like I've been let out of jail, because I've been in the writing cave for the last two years.'

'I'm actually enjoying life. I don't enjoy writing. I wouldn't wish writing on a dog.'

Returning: Zoe Saldana (Neytiri), Sam Worthington (Jake Sully) and Sigourney Weaver (Dr. Grace Augustine) will all return for the sequels, which begin shooting this year

In December lead actress Zoe confirmed that she'll start shooting for the first sequel this year. 

'I’m excited to be a part of it once again — and over and over again!' she told News Corp. 'I do believe I’m expected to start shooting mid-spring.' 

The sequels will also see Australian hunk Sam Worthington reprise his star making role alongside veteran actress Sigourney Weaver.

The week before Zoe's comments, Sigourney toldVariety she had read the sequels' scripts and they would go into more much depth than the first movie.

Ongoing story: Filming for Avatar 2 will being in August, but Cameron explains he's also very much focused on a further three sequels

'In my opinion, the three scripts I’ve read so far are many times more amazing than the first one in terms of their scope,' the Ghostbusters star told the publication.

'He did a lot of the heavy lifting in the first movie, establishing the family and the relationships and the world, and now he really gets to play.' 

In 2015, Cameron revealed he had the first Avatar sequel tentatively scheduled for release in late 2017, although it seems that date has now been pushed back, with each subsequent film to follow 12 months apart.

He had also expanded the number of sequels from two to four.  'Christmas of ’17 is the target,' the Titanic director told the Montreal Gazette. 

Box office smash: Avatar became the first film to gross more than $2 billion upon its release at Christmas 2009

'...I call it a meta-narrative that runs across the three movies. Each film stands alone, but it also tells one much larger story.' 

Avatar became the first film to gross more than $2 billion upon its release at Christmas 2009, while it was also nmoniated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

The movie won three awards at the 2010 Oscars, for Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography and Best Visual Effects.

Critical and commercial success: The movie won three awards at the 2010 Oscars, for Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography and Best Visual Effects as well as the Best Picture gong at the Golden Globes (pictured)

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