James Cameron Says Scripts for 'Avatar' Sequels Are Almost Done

The screenplays are expected to be finished within 'six weeks', but the director doesn't see a role for rumored cast member Arnold Schwarzenegger in the all three.

James Cameron gives the latest update on the much-awaited "Avatar" sequels during Reddit Ask Me Anything session. The director delivers news that the scripts are almost complete and sets the record straight on the casting rumor surrounding Arnold Schwarzenegger.

He wrote, "The second, third and fourth films all go into production simultaneously. They're essentially all in preproduction now, because we are designing creatures, settings, and characters that span all three films. And we should be finished with all three scripts within the next, I would say, six weeks."

"There's always pressure, whether it's a new film or whether it's a sequel, to entertain and amaze an audience. I've felt that pressure my entire career, so there's nothing new there. The biggest pressure I feel right now is cutting out things I love to get the film down to a length that is affordable. There hasn't been a problem finding new and wonderful things to include in the movie."

Of the Schwarzenegger rumor, the "Terminator" helmer said, "As of right now, he and I have not discussed it, and I don't see a role as the scripts are coming together that would be appropriate for him, so I would say probably not."

The first film arrived in 2009 to critical and commercial success. "My intention when I made Avatar was to do 'Battle Angel' next. However, the positive feedback for Avatar and the support of the message of Avatar, encouraged me to do more of those films," the director explained.

Three sequels are planned for the film. "Avatar 2" is due December 2016, "Avatar 3" is scheduled for December 2017, and "Avatar 4" is planned for 2018. Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana are signed on to reprise their roles as Jake Sully and Princess Neytiri respectively, while Stephen Lang will return as Colonel Quaritch.

Cameron who directed the second "Alien" film also shared his thoughts on Ridley Scott's "Prometheus", a loose prequel to the franchise. "Interesting. I thought it was an interesting film. I thought it was thought provoking and beautifully, visually mounted, but at the end of the day it didn't add up logically. But I enjoyed it, and I'm glad it was made. I liked it better than the previous two Alien sequels," he said.

He commented on "Terminator: Genesis" as well. "I don't think that the 3rd or 4th film lived up to that potential," he said." 'Sarah Connor Chronicles' I never really watched much of it, so I never gave it a chance I get to get hooked, like you have to with a TV series. I'm hopeful that the new films, which are being made right now as a reboot, but still involving Arnold, will be good. From what I've seen from afar, it looks like they will be quite good."