'Avatar 2' crew travels to New Zealand with special permission – government criticised

Wellington. The crew of “Avatar 2” has been granted special permission to enter New Zealand to begin filming the second part of the sci-fi epic. The country's borders are already closed to foreigners due to the global coronavirus pandemic. “We've arrived in New Zealand. Our 14-day self-isolation under government supervision has begun,” wrote producer Jon Landau, who posted a photo on Instagram. The film crew has rented a hotel in Wellington.

Criticism of the government

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed at a news conference on Tuesday that the crew had received government approval. The Guardian reported that Los Angeles film workers had received permission from Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford to return to New Zealand as “other essential workers.”

The government has also been criticised for the move: the New Zealand Immigration and Investment Association has called the exemption unfair: around 60,000 migrants with valid work visas are currently unable to enter New Zealand.

“Avatar 2” in theaters late 2021

For the sequel to his 3D fantasy spectacle “Avatar – Departure for Pandora” (2009), director James Cameron brought actors like Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, and Sigourney Weaver in front of the camera. Cameron began production on four “Avatar” films simultaneously in 2017. The planned releases of the films have been delayed several times. According to previous information, “Avatar 2” is scheduled to hit theaters in late 2021, with further parts coming in 2023, 2025, and 2027.

R.N.D/D.B.A