There’s no doubt Stephen Lang’s borderline cartoonish villain fit well into James Cameron’s Avatar universe, which was so painted in such broad, obvious strokes that he needed the 50lbs of TNT packed into 50 year old white dude that Lang represents. But the 2.8 billion dollars worth of you who saw Avatar may recall that Lang’s “arc” was rather definitive in the first film…
Well, James Cameron couldn’t give less of a shit about that, because he’s bringing him back. Not just once. Not just twice. But for all three of the in-development Avatar sequels.
“Steven was so memorable in the first film, we’re privileged to have him back,” Cameron said. “I’m not going to say exactly HOW we’re bringing him back, but it’s a science fiction story, after all. His character will evolve into really unexpected places across the arc of our new three-film saga. I really look forward to working with such a gifted actor, who’s also become a good friend.”
Now there will definitely be strong prequel elements to this new trilogy, which will allow for Sigourney Weaver to return as well (something Cameron has also confirmed), but it sure sounds like Lang is just straight up back from the dead. Cyborg, mental clone… who knows? Now the only question is who long will it take for him to have the feel-good turnaround and become a good guy?
Source | Deadline