James Cameron Explains How Sigourney Weaver Might Appear In 'Avatar 2'

When James Cameron does interviews, he loves setting the record straight. He was in New York Monday night to receive a Breakthrough Award from Popular Mechanics. While on the red carpet, he commented on the voice cameo viral video that we recently published, the Avatar world that will be opening at Disney and also Sigourney Weaver's comment that she'd be returning for Avatar 2 even though she died in the first film. That last bit, in particular, is of interest because Cameron's answer provides a glimpse into the structure of the 2014 sequel. Read his quote and more after the jump.

Cameron spoke to Vulture when they had this exchange about Weaver's comments:

Vulture: Sigourney is giving you the award tonight, and she's supposed to be in Avatar 2, despite her character dying in the first Avatar.

Cameron: Did I say she was going to be in Avatar 2? [Grins.]

Vulture: She said she was.

Cameron: Well, I don't want to disabuse her of that fantasy. But have you ever heard of nonlinear storytelling? A lot happens on that planet before she shows up, and before Jake shows up to join her. She's there for fifteen years ahead of time. I don't know, but I wouldn't jump to conclusions. And I've already said way too much about Avatar 2 and 3 here and there, but people piece it together like those voice cameos and tell the whole story!

Vulture: Okay, I just wanted to make sure it wasn't like what they did to Ripley when she died.

Cameron: Okay, here's the deal. When you have a science-fiction series, a science-fiction franchise, you're never dead, unless your DNA is expunged from the universe. And then there's always time travel!

Seems like Avatar 2 will have some prequel elements in addition to being a sequel, huh? That's pretty big news.

As for the Avatar world at Disney, Cameron will be consulting, but not an active participant:

We're going to meet and discuss it. They have big plans for it. They want to do a land, a number of different attractions, maybe a flight attraction, and retail outlets, things like that, make a whole environment of it, a themed experience. You would feel like you're on Pandora. So I think my job and what I look forward to doing is making sure it's consistent with Na'vi culture, with the themes and values of Avatar, and the next films as well. And they seem very open to that.

For more quotes from Cameron, head over to Vulture. What else do you wish Cameron would comment on?