By Though we still have literal years to wait until we can plant hindquarters in seats for the first Avatar follow-up, the show must go on, with news today that Kiwi comedian Jemaine Clement will be joining the franchise.
Set to play marine biologist Dr Ian Garvin, maestro James Cameron said the following of Clement’s casting:
“I’ve loved Jemaine’s work for years and I’m really pumped that he’s joining our cast as Ian Garvin, one of my favorite characters.”
Every big blockbuster needs its funnyman, so it would be easy to assume that Clement will serve some degree of comic relief, though as they say: Anything is possible.
Clement’s latest include multiple credits on the FX series What We Do in the Shadows as well as FX’s Legion. He’ll be joined in the Avatar sequels by original Pandoran pioneers Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana, as well as series newcomers Kate Winslet and Edie Falco.
With four sequels planned for Cameron’s 2009 box-office juggernaut (the first set to arrive in late 2021, for now!), there’s certainly opportunity for characters like Clement’s to grow and be given long-running arcs a la the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Whether the long gestation of the films pays off remains to be seen, but you’ve got to give a guy like Cameron at least a little faith. I mean, have you seen The Terminator?
James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ Sequels Casts Jemaine Clement [Variety]