Cameron signs on for Avatar sequels

James Cameron has reached a deal to direct the sequels to his blockbuster sci-fi flick Avatar, which will be due out in December 2014 and December 2015.

"It is a rare and remarkable opportunity when a filmmaker gets to build a fantasy world, and watch it grow, with the resources and partnership of a global media company," said the Canadian director in a statement about his agreement with 20th Century Fox.

"Our goal is to meet and exceed the global audience's expectations for the richness of Avatar's  visual world and the power of the storytelling. [The] second and third films ... will be self-contained stories that also fulfill a greater story arc."

Cameron indicated he will explore the themes and characters that concerned his first film — an epic battle to prevent the mining of a valuable resource in the fictional alien world of Pandora.

The sequels will be produced by Cameron and Jon Landau for Lightstorm Entertainment.

Avatar broke box office records, both domestically and around the world, becoming the highest-grossing film of all time.  It captured three Oscars including best cinematography and visual effects.