Hollywood - "Titanic" and "Avatar" producer Jon Landau is dead
Hollywood producer Jon Landau passed away. The American had produced the film "Titanic" (1997) with director James Cameron and received an Oscar for it. Later, he produced films such as the Science-Fiction film "Avatar" (2009) and its sequels. Both "Titanic" and "Avatar" and its successor "Avatar: The Way of Water" were commercially extremely successful.
His family announced his death on Saturday, according to several US media reports. In addition, Alan Bergman of Disney Entertainment, which is behind the "Avatar" films, confirmed Landau's death in a statement.
"Jon was a visionary whose exceptional talent and passion brought some of the most memorable stories to the screen. His remarkable contributions to the film industry have left indelible marks, and we will deeply miss him. He was a renowned and successful producer, but an even better human being and a true force of nature who inspired us all," Bergman paid tribute to the 63-year-old in the statement, which several media outlets quoted.
David Cameron: Landau spread warmth and joy in filmmaking
David Cameron, who ran the production company Lightstorm Entertainment with Landau, also paid tribute to Landau's personal qualities in an interview with the industry portal "Deadline". Landau was "unyielding, thoughtful, integrative, relentless, sensitive, and absolutely unique", Cameron said. "He produced great films not by wielding power, but by spreading warmth and joy in filmmaking. He inspired us all (...). I have lost a dear friend and my closest collaborator with whom I worked for 31 years."
Actress Zoe Saldana, who works on the "Avatar" films, remembered Landau on Instagram. "Your wisdom and support have shaped so many of us," the 46-year-old wrote, among other things.
The third "Avatar" film is scheduled to hit theaters in December 2025, with "Avatar 4" following in 2029 and "Avatar 5" two years later. The three theatrical releases were postponed last year due to the writers' and actors' strike in Hollywood.
- Despite the tragic news of Hollywood producer Jon Landau's passing, the anticipation for the upcoming "Avatar" films, including "Avatar 3" in 2025, remains high in the USA.
- The US media resonated with the tribute from Walt Disney's Alan Bergman, commending Landau's visionary talent and remarkable impact on cinema.
- In Los Angeles, the heart of Hollywood, the loss of Landau was felt strongly within the film industry, with tributes pouring in from esteemed figures like director James Cameron and David Cameron.
- The unexpected death of the 63-year-old producer, who had worked closely with British Prime Minister David Cameron at Lightstorm Entertainment, left an unfillable void in the USA's filmmaking community.
- The worldwide film scene mourned the loss of Jon Landau, a highly respected and award-winning figure in cinematic history, best known for his Oscar-winning work on "Titanic" (1997) and the groundbreaking "Avatar" series.
- British ex-Prime Minister David Cameron fondly recalled Landau as a person who transformed the film industry not through power, but by spreading warmth and joy in Hollywood, a testament to his exceptional character and enduring legacy in the USA and beyond.
