Despite his demise in the first movie (spoilers, for the one or two people out there yet to see the film), director James Cameron has announced that Stephen Lang’s evil Colonel Miles Quaritch is to return for the forthcoming trio of sequels to the 2009 mega blockbuster Avatar, where he’ll join the previously confirmed Sam Worthington (Jake Sully) and Zoe Saldana (Neytiri).
“Steven was so memorable in the first film, we’re privileged to have him back,” Cameron tells Deadline. “I’m not going to say exactly HOW we’re bringing him back, but it’s a science fiction story, after all. His character will evolve into really unexpected places across the arc of our new three-film saga. I really look forward to working with such a gifted actor, who’s also become a good friend.”
So far plot details on the three sequels are being kept under wraps, as are official release dates, although Sam Worthington has revealed this week that filming is planned to get underway in October next year and it’s expected that Avatar 2 will open in 2016, Avatar 3 in 2017 and Avatar 4 in 2018.