"Avatar 2" was initially set to be released in December 2017, but this date has since been moved to 2018 after "Star Wars Episode VIII" was pushed back to the same release slot. However, director James Cameron has since confirmed that even the late 2018 release is not yet set in stone.

"We haven't moved that target yet, but we will if we need to," Cameron explained in an interview with Variety. The director then added: "The important thing for me is not when the first one comes out but the cadence of the release pattern. I want them to be released as close together as possible. If it's an annual appointment to show up at Christmas, I want to make sure that we're able to fulfill on that promise."

It is pointed out that the initial plan is to launch all of the films exactly one year apart. This will mirror a successful strategy also used by other big franchise films such as "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings," which all launched around the holidays exactly a year apart from each other.

This will put the "Avatar" sequels in direct competition with the "Star Wars" movies, which will also launch around the same time every year.

Regarding the plot of "Avatar 2," Cameron explained that it will focus on Jake (Sam Worthington), Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) and their children. This indicates Jake and Neytiri may still be prominent characters in the films until their children become the main focus of the latter films in the series.

The world of the franchise will be further expanded upon through additional materials such as books, comic books, video games, and stage plays such as the "Toruk" prequel, which is set before humans came to Pandora.

As it stands, "Avatar 2" is scheduled to be released in December 2018. This will be followed by "Avatar 3" in 2020, "Avatar 4" in 2022, and "Avatar 5" in 2023.