James Cameron says Avatar sequel not coming in 2018

Another year, another Avatar postponement. James Cameron says the long-gestating sequel to his science-fiction epic will not be released next year.

"2018 is not happening," Cameron told The Toronto Star. Cameron has been developing four more Avatar films simultaneously. Though Avatar 2 had not officially been scheduled for next year, 20th Century Fox last November dated a film from Cameron's production company for Dec. 21, 2018.

That means that at least a decade will likely follow Cameron's 2009 Avatar before a sequel lands in theatres.

Cameron has said the scripts are done for all four films and that pre-production work continues. The director called it "an epic undertaking" "not unlike building the Three Gorges Dam."

But he assured fans he's working hard: "We're full-tilt boogie right now," said Cameron.