James Cameron reveals that Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh will portray a Na’Vi in Avatar 4, but remains tight-lipped about the sequel’s confirmation.

James Cameron has confirmed that Michelle Yeoh will portray a Na’Vi character in Avatar 4 and 5, although he admits the future of these sequels is still uncertain.

“Michelle Yeoh is definitely going to be in Avatar 4, if we make it,” Cameron shared with TVBS News Japan. “The movie industry is facing challenges right now, and Avatar 3 had a hefty budget. We need to perform well to keep the franchise alive. Not only do we need to succeed, but we also have to find a way to produce Avatar 4 more cost-effectively. Michelle will be in both Avatar 4 and Avatar 5, playing a performance-capture character named Palakpuelat, who is Na’vi.”

It’s hard to believe that a franchise worth billions wouldn’t continue with a fourth and fifth installment, especially since Avatar: Fire and Ash has already grossed over half a billion globally. The sequels were announced around the release of Avatar: The Way of Water, and release dates are already set. If production goes ahead, Avatar 4 is slated for December 21, 2029, while Avatar 5 is expected on December 19, 2031. Although these dates seem far off, remember that we waited about 13 years for Avatar 2.

“If we don’t get to make 4 and 5 for any reason, I’ll hold a press conference to share what we had planned,” Cameron previously stated. “I’m not sure if the saga will extend beyond this point, but I hope it does.”

Yeoh recently wrapped up her role as Madame Morrible in Jon M. Chu’s Wicked and Wicked: For Good, and she will soon star alongside Hunter Schaefer in Prime Video’s Blade Runner 2099 series.

Avatar: Fire and Ash is currently in theaters.