Over his decades-long career in Hollywood, film producer Jon Landau made an indelible mark on the entertainment industry, from the tragic romance of Titanic to the wild family antics of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and the sci-fi epic that is Alita: Battle Angel. Now, more than a year after his tragic death following a battle with cancer, Landau's creative presence will still live on through his work on Avatar: Fire and Ash.
Sigourney Weaver, who helms the role of Kiri in the highly-anticipated fantasy sequel, exclusively tells MovieWeb that Landau was an important part of the "evolution" of all three films in the franchise so far, noting that she'd been "so worried that we'd fall down a deep hole" without him.
"His spirit and his passion were so strong that they literally helped us carry on because his example was so inspiring," she adds. "We are still in his current."
Zoe Saldaña, who plays Neytiri, describes him not only as a "genuine fan of films and storytelling," but also its "toughest critic."
"It's going to be hard moving on and not having that champion, the number one fan … the number one advocate for Avatar and Pandora. It just means that we all have to be like the Sully kids. Then, after great loss, you rise up, become wiser, and become the guides who have to continue delivering everything."
Watch the trailer for Avatar: Fire and Ash below.
Jon Landau's Death Echoes Themes in 'Avatar: Fire and Ash'
Bailey Bass, who stars as Tsireya, exclusively reveals to MovieWeb that the storylines and themes of grief in Avatar: Fire and Ash aren't unlike the difficult feelings the cast and crew felt after the loss of Landau. Specifically with the death of Neteyam, Jake and Neytiri's firstborn child.
"Neteyam passes away, and we jump right back in a week later," Bass explains. "After that, you see the Sully family grieving, the Metkayina Clan recovering."
In a way, this could be compared to how everyone involved in production went back to work after Landau's death.
"Jon's passing was a big blow. I remember getting the call and just falling to the floor and hysterically crying. His heartbeat will always be there in us. He's touched us so much, and he was a part of our careers in such a big way as a mentor."
But in a time of grief and healing, Landau's presence will always be able to be felt through the Avatar films and the world of Pandora that was brought to life at Disney World.
"It's touched so many lives worldwide [and] would not have happened without Jon's vision," Bass concluded.
As MovieWeb previously reported, Landau passed away on Jul. 5, 2024, after a fight against esophageal cancer. He was 63 years old. Prior to his death, he had a long term producing partnership with James Cameron — a loss the famed director compared to having a part of him "torn away."
“His legacy is not just the films he produced, but the personal example he set — indomitable, caring, inclusive, tireless, insightful and utterly unique,” Cameron said in a statement after his passing. “He produced great films, not by wielding power but by spreading warmth and the joy of making cinema. He inspired us all to be and to bring our best, every day. I have lost a dear friend, and my closest collaborator of 31 years.”
Watch Avatar: Fire and Ash in theaters on Friday, Dec. 19.
