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James Cameron and his US crew filming Avatar 2 in New Zealand sparks controversy, criticize government

The entire mess for Avatar 2 started when filmmaker James Cameron and his US production crew touched down in Wellington, New Zealand last Sunday (June 7). The shooting for the sci-fi sequel had been put on hold since the coronavirus pandemic began, however, when last week producer Jon Landau announced he and Cameron had arrived back in New Zealand to resume production on the long-awaited “Avatar” sequels, all hell broke loose in the country.

New Zealand, which is slowly coming out of lockdown amid the pandemic, has granted permission to 56 filmmakers to enter the country, once they complete their 14-day quarantine stint. Cameron is currently quarantining before he resumes Avatar 2 shoot. But several NZ politicians are lashing out at the government’s decision.

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According to one government MP, David Seymour, this move is "an insult to working New Zealanders." According to him while film crews like Avatar were allowed back into their country to resume work, many of New Zealand's homegrown workers in industries such as fishing and education have yet to be granted exemptions to get back to work. “What are the rules at the border? At the moment, it seems that if you’re a friend of the Government, you’re in business. If not, you’re on your own. There should be one rule for everyone. It’s unacceptable for politicians to be picking and choosing who can enter the country," lashed Seymour, in a press briefing.

Last December, Cameron said motion capture work on Avatar 2 and Avatar 3 had "already been completed in its entirety" and all that was left to film on the first follow-up was "live-action pickups."  

Avatar 2 is scheduled to release in theaters from Disney on December 17, 2021.

(Source: IndieWire)

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