James Cameron provided fans with an update regarding Michelle Yeoh’s involvement in the hit fantasy franchise, Avatar. The actress won’t be appearing in the upcoming third installment, rather she’ll make her debut in the fourth and fifth films.
This is indeed a shocker and a devastating report from the filmmaker since fans have been patiently waiting for the actress’ appearance in the movie. In fact, her casting for the role of Dr. Karina Mogue has been announced since 2019.
James Cameron Reveals Michelle Yeoh Is Not In Avatar: Fire and Ash
Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, director James Cameron confirmed Michelle Yeoh’s status in the Avatar films.
Michelle Yeoh won’t be in 3. She’s in 4 and 5. So that got a little bit misreported. She will be coming in soon to do her part, which is an interesting, fun character.
Despite the disappointing news, he provided exciting updates on the progress of the installments. In fact, it seems they are already ahead of their schedules. “This whole thing has been planned for years and years. The scripts were all written years ago, through the end of movie 5,” he explained.
Cameron noted that they have been working on the fourth one already while the third film isn’t released yet. “We’ve been working on parts of 4 even as we go along, mostly because we’ve got this young cast,” he stated. “We had to shoot them all while they were still young.” Time is indeed invaluable for the cast and crew of Avatar.
The Canadian filmmaker professed how he loves Yeoh and that she is “always a movie star, but she’s blown up into a huge, huge phenomenon.” Fans remember she won a Best Actress award at the 95th Academy Awards for Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Michelle Yeoh Has Started Filming For Avatar
In a separate interview with Entertainment Weekly, Yeoh confirmed her attachment to Cameron’s Avatar. “Yes, I am in the Avatar sequels,” she stated. Her casting was announced as early as 2019.
In 2022, she revealed working on the film already which prompted fans’ speculation that she might appear either in Avatar: The Way of Water or Avatar: Fire and Ash. “We shot for a few weeks, and I was so impressed with the work that he’s done, the work that he’s doing, the energy,” she said of the production and the director.
“He’s a genius, he’s a walking genius. And I really really enjoyed the experience and I can’t wait to go back soon, I hope,” the Malaysian actress added.
Cameron will be very busy in the upcoming years as he prepares for the release of his three films. Avatar: Fire and Ash is set to open in theaters on December 19, 2025, followed by Avatar 4 on December 21, 2029, and Avatar 5 on December 19, 2031.
All Avatar films are available on Disney+.
