'Avatar: The Way Of Water:' James Cameron To Skip Premiere Following COVID-19 Diagnosis
James Cameron has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not attend the Hollywood premiere of his latest directorial project, "Avatar: The Way of Water."
According to a report by The Hollywood Reporter, the 68-year-old filmmaker had been sick since Sunday night.
"Jim has COVID but is feeling fine. He tested positive as part of a routine testing cadence. He will continue to complete his schedule virtually but will not be at the premiere," a Disney spokesperson told the outlet.
Cameron was supposed to attend the opening ceremony of his exhibit: "Pressure: James Cameron into the Abyss," at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County on Sunday. Instead, he spoke to the attendees of the event via zoom.
"I want to, first of all, apologize to everyone who's gathered there tonight. I can't be at my own party. I was traveling around the world for "Avatar: The Way of Water premiere" and on the flight back from Tokyo, I started to feel kind of heavy. I got tested and sure enough, I have COVID, so obviously I can't be there, jeopardize other people," Cameron said at the exhibit's opening ceremony.
Prior to his diagnosis, Cameron was busy promoting his film ahead of its theatrical release on Dec. 16.
The "Titanic" director was at the "Avatar 2" premiere in London on Dec. 6 alongside its cast and producer, Jon Landau. On Friday, he also attended the movie's Seoul and Japan premiere. However, he was unable to attend the film's screening for Academy members Sunday, which was attended by Landau.
Cameron is asymptomatic and "feeling well," insiders told Variety, adding that the Academy Award-winning director will participate in promotional events for the film virtually.
"Avatar: The Way of Water premiere" is a follow-up to the highly-successful "Avatar" that came in 2009 and grossed $2.92 billion worldwide. The new movie stars Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Edie Falco and Kate Winslet.
Earlier, the movie's cast raved about their experience while filming the movie, which included diving lessons.
"I did have swimming lessons when I was young and so I always considered myself a good swimmer. But this whole thing was, I think, somewhat intimidating to all of us, but also a very cool adventure, which is irresistible," Weaver told Variety on Dec. 7.
Winslet also said she had no fear of going underwater because of the intense training they went through prior to the actual filming of the movie.
"It was completely amazing. I absolutely loved it," she said.
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