It was confirmed today that James Cameron’s next two films will both be set on the planet Pandora.

According to Variety, Cameron signed a deal with 20th Century Fox to direct both “Avatar 2,” which has been given a tentative release date of December 2014 and “Avatar 3,” due for distribution a year later.

Cameron told the source, “In the second and third films, which will be self-contained stories that also fulfill a greater story arc, we will not back off the throttle of “Avatar’s visual and emotional horsepower, and will continue to explore its themes and characters, which touched the hearts of audiences in all cultures around the world. I’m looking forward to returning to Pandora, a world where our imaginations can run wild.”

He is going to start working on the scripts for both films in early 2011, after which he will also decide whether or not to shoot them back-to-back.

Released last December, “Avatar” is the top-grossing film, having made $2.8 billion worldwide.

Also, Fox Filmed Entertainment chairmen Jim Gianopulos and Tom Rothman explained to the source, “Avatar is not only the highest grossing movie of all time, it created a universe based on the singular imagination and daring of James Cameron, who also has raised the consciousness of people worldwide to some of the greatest issues facing our planet. We had no greater priority, and can feel no greater joy, than enabling Jim to continue and expand his vision of the world of Avatar.” So, it was not all about the financial matter.

Today’s announcement, though, kind of throws into doubt whether or not Cameron will direct the 3D remake of “Cleopatra,” with actress Angelina Jolie in the title role.

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Eiko Watanabe is a Blast staff writer in New York

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