A new development has been unearthed in relation to director James Cameron‘s long-gestating sequel(s) to his worldwide 2009 phenomenon Avatar. Kiwi actor Cliff Curtis, likely most well-known for his role in the television hit Fear the Walking Dead, has been confirmed to join the cast, according to sources over at Deadline. The role appears to be significant, yet further underscores that after an exhaustive wait, progress looks to, indeed, be moving forward for the proposed to be multi-film franchise.

Curtis is slated to portray a new character named Tonowari, leader of a reef clan known as the Metkayina. In expanding the colorful universe laid out in the groundbreaking first film – which won Oscar for visual effects, cinematography and production design – Cameron has previously signaled that updating chapters could take place underwater.

Curtis joins returning members of the ensemble cast including Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington and Sigourney Weaver and production is presumed to begin sometime next year. Aside from the AMC drama Fear the Walking Dead, Curtis has appeared in the films The Last Airbender, The Fountain, Whale Rider, Training Day and Three Kings. His first film role was Jane Campion’s 1993 Oscar-winning drama The Piano. He will soon appear in the shark thriller Meg starring Jason Statham.

Avatar 2 is due in theaters on December 18, 2020, with the additional entries to the franchise due to hit theaters during the holiday seasons of 2021, 2024 and 2025, respectively.