James Cameron is back at work, filming the Avatar sequels in New Zealand. According to an Instagram post by actor Joel David Moore, who plays Norm Spellman in the films, filming is in progress in New Zealand, after the writer's strike caused delays in production. Fellow star Sam Worthington, who plays Jake Sully, says production is currently in the midst of reshoots for Avatar 3, which is due to release next year.

On June 10, Moore said in an Instagram post that he would be leaving America soon for New Zealand to film. In recent days, he followed that up with a post from Wellington, New Zealand, posing for a picture with actor Giovanni Ribisi (who plays Selfridge) in a restaurant and discussing his feelings about his time on the Avatar films.

Heading back to Wellington NZ is always so nostalgic. Been coming here for 17 years making this franchise, seeing familiar faces, friends, putting the hard work in, it's like a home away from home at this point. The family has grown, but the work flow and mission is always the same. Thankful for my #Avatar fam and can't wait for you to see what's next!

While Moore was not specific about what was being filmed, at the premiere of Horizon: An American Saga, Sam Worthington confirmed that Avatar 3 was still shooting scenes, despite Cameron reporting that production wrapped in late 2023.

They’re still filming. They’re down in New Zealand filming more of ( Avatar ) three. I think I go in tomorrow to do some more, so yeah, we just keep going.

James Cameron has big plans for the Avatar franchise, which could take more than another decade to complete. In February, while appearing at the Saturn Awards, he revealed that while principal photography on Avatar 3 was completed, there were still some visual effects and "pickup" shots to complete. He also revealed that he has not only filmed 25% of Avatar 4, but the script for Avatar 5 was complete. Cameron also said he was developing ideas for Avatar 6 and 7, which may be directed by someone else:

We're fully written through movie five, and I've got ideas for six and seven, although I'll probably be handing the baton on at that point.

Very little is known about the storyline of the planned sequels, but Cameron and the cast have revealed small bits of information, including the introduction of a Na'vi clan known as the "Ash People," who live in a volcano. Like the first two films, Cameron did say that each of the next three films will average about three hours each, promising an epic tale across the sequels. Avatar: The Way of Water was a smash hit upon release in 2022. It went on to gross over two billion dollars and became the fourth highest grossing film of all time.

Avatar 3 will be released exclusively in theaters on December 19, 2025.