James Cameron talks writing Avatar sequels

James Cameron has been talking about the process of writing the sequels to the most successful movie ever made.

The director – and writer – of 'Avatar' is currently working on the second and third films in the series in isolation on his farm in New Zealand.

[Related story: James Cameron announces first post-Avatar project]

“It's not exactly a little, intimate drama. I'm working on 'Avatar 2' and 'Avatar 3',” he told Play Goes Strong.

“I was talking the other day with Peter Jackson and said, 'You had it easy dude. You had the books when you did the second and third 'Lord of the Rings.' I have to create my own books in my head and extract a script from it.

“I'm deep into it and I'm living in Pandora right now. There is that start up torque where you feel it's coming to you. Then you build up momentum. That's when it gets fun. The characters talk and it's writing itself. I'm almost there right now. It's building fast.

“It's a little daunting because sequels are always tricky. You have to be surprising and stay ahead of audience anticipation. At the same time, you have to massage their feet with things that they know and love about the first film.  As for a release date, that will be determined by when I get the script out.”

The first sequel to the 2009 film, which has so far grossed not far from $3 billion, was initially planned for a December 2014 release, with the following film in 2015.

Now 2015 is thought to be when the second film will emerge.

Cameron is also working with Disney on a theme park attraction based on the film.