James Cameron Shares Exciting News About Michelle Yeoh’s Role in Future Avatar Films

Michelle Yeoh; a still from ‘Avatar’ (2009).

Credit: Monica Schipper/Getty; Twentieth Century Fox

Key Updates

• Michelle Yeoh will appear in Avatar 4 and Avatar 5, provided they are produced, according to James Cameron.
• Cameron confirmed details regarding Yeoh’s character.
• Yeoh has been linked to the Avatar franchise since 2019 and has already filmed part of her role.

Fans of the Avatar series can anticipate the return of Michelle Yeoh in upcoming sequels, as confirmed by director James Cameron. In a recent interview related to the third installment, Avatar: Fire and Ash, Cameron announced that Yeoh will feature in the fourth and fifth films, contingent on their production.

“Michelle is definitely going to be in 4, if we make 4,” Cameron stated during his conversation with Taiwanese outlet TVBS News. He elaborated on the financial uncertainties facing the film industry, noting, “Avatar 3 cost a lot of money. We have to do well in order to continue.” Cameron emphasized the need to produce Avatar films more economically moving forward.

James Cameron at the premiere of ‘Avatar: Fire And Ash’.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

If production of Avatar 4 moves forward, Cameron indicated that both the fourth and fifth installments would be filmed together, following “one big story.” He provided insights into Yeoh’s character, describing her as a Na’vi performance-capture character named Paktuelat.

While Yeoh has been associated with the Avatar franchise since 2019, she has not yet made her on-screen debut. The official Avatar X account first introduced her role as Dr. Karina Mogue during a birthday tribute in 2019, but she will make her entrance later on.

In 2021, Avatar producer Jon Landau shared an Instagram post featuring Yeoh with Cameron, noting her positive influence on the director during production, stating, “Michelle Yeoh kept Jim busy between set-ups while filming Avatar 3!” However, in a 2024 update, Cameron confirmed that Yeoh would not be part of the third film, clarifying, “So that got a little bit misreported. She will be coming in soon…”

He further explained, “This whole thing has been planned for years and years. The scripts were all written years ago, through the end of movie 5.” Cameron noted the importance of involving the youthful cast before they aged out of their roles.

A still from ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’.

20th Century Studios

Cameron expressed his admiration for Yeoh, saying, “We love Michelle. She was always a movie star, but she’s blown up into a huge, huge phenomenon. I look forward to working with her.”

Yeoh has echoed her excitement regarding her involvement in the franchise, previously telling Entertainment Weekly, “So, yes, I am in the Avatar sequels… But it’s James Cameron! Come on! I would be the tea lady for James Cameron!” She also mentioned enjoying her brief shooting period and being impressed by Cameron’s work and energy.

“He’s a genius, he’s a walking genius,” Yeoh remarked, expressing enthusiasm about returning to the project soon.

Avatar: Fire and Ash is currently in theaters.