James Cameron And Fox Announce AVATAR 2 (December 2016), AVATAR 3 (December 2017) And AVATAR 4 (December 2018)

James Cameron and 20th Century Fox have made it official (via Deadline) as they have announced plans to make three sequels to smash hit Avatar. We've heard previously that Cameron was currently prepping production for Avatar 2 sometime in 2014 but this is the first official word of Avatar 4. The studio and Cameron have announced plans to release Avatar 2 in December 2016, Avatar in December 2017 and Avatar 4 in December 2018. They also announce writers Josh Friedman (Word of The Worlds), Rick Jaffa/Amanda Silver (Rise/Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes) and Shane Salerno have been tapped to help write the three sequels with James.

JURASSIC PARK 4 Director Colin Trevorrow Promises No Feathered Dinos

While Jurassic Park 4 has finally landed it's director Colin Trevorrow and screenwriters with a release date set for June of next Summer. A few odds and ends have been yet to be announced including the cast. That news is likely around the corner but Colin has given equally positive update for fans of the original two films. He simply states via Twitter the dinosaurs won't have feathers in his film. Since the first installment in 1993 science started moving dinos and birds closer together. Which led to raptors with feathers in the third film. Instead of confusing audiences and keeingp the mythology canon they will keep the look more similar to the original film. Rather than what's been showing on The Discovery Channel for the last fifteen years. A smart move to win over original fans of the franchise early on during it's production.

No feathers. #JP4
— Colin Trevorrow (@colintrevorrow) March 20, 2013

Colin Trevorrow To Direct JURASSIC PARK 4 For Universal

Deadline reports that indie director Colin Trevorrow has been hired by producer Steven Spielberg and Universal to direct Jurassic Park 4. The project recently lost producer Kathy Kennedy to Star Wars but still kept it's June 13th 2014 release date. Based on the iconic material from the novels of Michael Crichton the script was written by screenwriting duo Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver. The pair are best known for writing Rise of The Planet of The Apes and Dawn of The Planet of The Apes.

There were recent talks that production was gearing up in Baton Rouge but a director had yet to be announced. Colin is best known for his time-travel comedy Safety Not Guaranteed he was recently tasked by Disney to remake the 80's classic The Flight of The Navigator. He was also linked and championed to take over the Star Wars franchise before J.J. Abrams' involvement was confirmed. No word on what direction they'll be going with but it's expected to be a reboot of sorts rather than another sequel.

JURASSIC PARK 4 Coming June 2014, No Director But Has A Script

HeatVision is reporting some encouraging news for the Steven Spielberg produced Jurassic Park 4. Paramount has set it's release date for June 13th 2014 but the project doesn't have a director attached. A script is shaping up as well as screenwriting duo Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver (Dawn of The Planet of The Apes, Rise of The Planet of The Apes) have handed in a new draft. It's been mentioned the film could end up becoming more of remake than a continuation of the franchise.

While a director hasn't been named I have my own thoughts on who should be given a shot. Joe Johnston and Spielberg have been rumored but I'd rather see some new blood. I'd love to see a director such as J.J. Abrams or Rupert Wyatt give their own vision of the dinos. Abrams could have the time to make it while Star Trek 3 is still being scripted by writers. Not to mention how Abrams could be eyed by Paramount for the job after delivering the studio some major hits. Rupert reinvented The Planet of The Apes franchise with Rise and has since exited the sequel Dawn. He understands how to bring CGI created characters to life and seems like he could have that vision Paramount needs. Wyatt seems like the best bet since he currently isn't attached to a project.

'JURASSIC PARK 4' Coming In 2014?

Collider was able to speak with producer Frank Marshall about the fate of Jurassic Park 4. Currently all we know about the project is that Universal has hired screenwriters Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver (Rise of The Planet of The Apes). Frank gives a possible release date for the fourth installment which could be out as soon as 2014. There had been talk that William Monahan (Departed, Sin City 2, Oblivion, Kingdom of Heaven) had also written a draft years back. Not to mention talk of both a direct sequel to a complete reboot of the franchise.

Andy Serkis Returning For Rise Of The Apes Sequel

Deadline reports that Andy Serkis is likely becoming the new Roddy McDowall of the Planet of The Apes franchise. He just landed a deal with 20th Century Fox for the sequel to Rise of The Planet of The Apes. Serkis will reprise his role of Caesar and possibility other apes in the film. Director Rupert Wyatt along with writers Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver are also returning for the sequel. There is no word if either James Franco or Freida Pinto will be back for the next installment.

Since Rise was inspired by Conquest of The Planet of The Apes I expect the sequel could be inspired by next installment Battle For The Planet of The Apes. That film focused on the new ape community (after the rebellion) lead by Caesar with loyal humans helping teach and build the society. The characters would later enter the abandoned city only to find a vengeful group of surviving humans armed to the teeth. Now with the viral outbreak spreading around the human population it wouldn't be surprising to see desperate survivors being the villains in the sequel. I just hope they scale back on the length of the film's title.