AceShowbiz -

Fans have already known that "Avatar 2" is in the works, but they have yet to know when sequel to the 2009 blockbuster will hit theaters. Director James Cameron recently gave updates on the sequel and he also confirmed that it would be released on Christmas Day in 2017.

While attending the premiere of the Pandora-inspired Cirque Du Soleil show "Toruk: The First Flight", the director gave away some information about the follow-up movie, which is said to be the beginning of a trilogy of "Avatar" sequels. Cameron said that "Avatar 2" would arrive in the holiday, just like the original film.

"Christmas of '17 is the target... At least, that's what we've announced. But I don't consider that to be as important as the fact that when we get all three films done, we drop them a year apart. I call it a meta-narrative that runs across the three movies. Each film stands alone, but it also tells one much larger story," he revealed.

The filmmaker also gave an update on the status of production, saying that things like creatures and landscapes were "more or less" done. "We have design more or less finished, which is an enormous task. It's been about a two-year task. [We've finished] all the creatures and the landscapes, and the new worlds within the world of Pandora that you see," he said.

According to the director, the movie would start shooting early next year. "The writing is ongoing, but almost finished. Technical development is done. Stages are done. Infrastructure. So we're really poised to start after the first of the year," he explained.

Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana are back to reprise their roles as Jake Sully and Neytiri. Sigourney Weaver is set to return as well, but she will play a new character this time around.