James Cameron tests positive for COVID-19, to skip Hollywood premiere of ‘Avatar’ sequel
Canadian filmmaker James Cameron arrives for a press conference to promote his new film “Avatar: The Way of Water” in Seoul on Dec. 9, 2022. Image: AFP/Anthony Wallace
James Cameron will not be attending the Monday night Hollywood premiere of his highly anticipated sequel “Avatar: The Way of Water” after he tested positive for COVID-19.
A spokesperson for Disney said the Canadian filmmaker is asymptomatic and feeling well and will continue to work virtually on publicity for “Avatar: The Way of Water,” as per Variety and The Hollywood Reporter yesterday, Dec. 12.
Cameron first made his diagnosis known last Sunday, Dec. 11 (Dec. 12 in the Philippines) during the opening ceremony of his multimedia experience “Pressure: James Cameron into the Abyss” at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. The director was supposed to attend the event in person, but instead spoke via Zoom.
“I want to first of all, apologize to everyone who’s gathered there tonight. I can’t be at my own party. I was traveling around the world [for ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ premieres]… and on the flight back from Tokyo I started to feel kind of heavy. I got tested and sure enough I have COVID, so obviously I can’t be there, jeopardize other people,” he was quoted as saying.
Earlier on Dec. 6, Cameron attended the world premiere of “Avatar: The Way of Water” in London, alongside producer Jon Landau and the entire cast, as well as its Seoul, South Korea, premiere on Friday, Dec. 9.
“Avatar: The Way of Water” comes 13 years after the release of the original “Avatar” film. It follows the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri and their kids) more than a decade after the events of the first film.
The film stars Zoe Saldaña, Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Cliff Curtis, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Edie Falco, Jemaine Clement and Kate Winslet. /ra
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