Producer Jon Landau died
Producer Jon Landau (1960-2024), known for film classics like "Titanic" and "Avatar," is deceased. According to several American media outlets, Landau, who was Oscar-awarded, passed away on July 5 at the age of 63. Variety reported that he had been suffering from cancer for over a year. His son Jamie confirmed the sad news over The Hollywood Reporter.
As a close collaborator of director James Cameron (69), the producer from Brooklyn, New York, produced not only "Titanic" (1997) but also "Avatar - Journey to Pandora" (2009) and its sequel from 2022, three of the highest-grossing films of all time. He was also the Chief Operating Officer of Cameron's production company Lightstorm Entertainment. Together, they produced movies like "Solaris" (2002) and "Alita: Battle Angel" (2019) and planned the future of the Avatar series. Before that, Landau was the Executive Vice President of film production at 20th Century Fox. During this time, he oversaw cult films like "Die Hard 2," "Mrs. Doubtfire," and "Power Rangers."
"Titanic" was the first film to surpass the billion-dollar mark at the worldwide box office. The three-hour film also set a record-breaking eleven Oscars, including for Best Picture. The producer once said that he fell in love with the project from the very first script draft. "It wasn't just the script, but also the idea that this could be the last time an epic, old-fashioned film with hundreds and hundreds of extras, not digital, would be made."
Colleagues mourn
Although James Cameron has yet to comment on the loss of his close associate, "Titanic" star Frances Fisher mourned Landau on July 6. In a post on X, the 72-year-old wrote, "Rest in peace, Jon." John Bergman, Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, issued a statement, acknowledging Landau's indelible impact on the film industry: "Jon was a visionary, whose exceptional talent and passion brought some of the most unforgettable stories to the screen. He was an iconic and successful producer, but an even better human being and a true force of nature that inspired everyone around him."
Filmmakers Peter Jackson (62) and Fran Walsh (65), whose company Weta FX provided the visual special effects for the "Avatar" films, also released a statement: "We speak for the entire team at Weta FX when we say we are devastated by the loss of Jon Landau. Jon was not only a monumental figure in the film industry, but also a respected colleague and friend. He brought an unparalleled passion into every project."
Landau leaves behind his wife Julie, with whom he was married for nearly 40 years, and their two sons Jamie and Jodie, according to Variety.
In the wake of producer Jon Landau's passing, Hollywood legend James Cameron remains silent, having worked closely with Landau on various films such as "Avatar" and "Titanic." The tragic news of Landau's death on July 5 at the age of 63 has sparked an outpouring of condolences from the entertainment industry.
Notable figures in the film world, including "Titanic" star Frances Fisher and filmmakers Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, have expressed their grief and praised Landau's contributions to the industry. As a talented producer and human being, Landau's influence extended beyond the box office, inspiring countless colleagues with his passion and dedication to storytelling.
