Sigourney Weaver to play new character in Avatar sequels

James Cameron has confirmed that Sigourney Weaver will return for the forthcoming Avatar sequels, but will be appearing as a different character from the scientist she played in the first film.

That shouldn't come as a huge surprise (FIRST FILM SPOILERS AHEAD), seeing as her character didn't make it out of the first film alive, but just who she will be playing in the new one remains something of a mystery…

"Sigourney and I have a long creative history, dating back to 1985 when we made Aliens ," says Cameron. "We’re good friends who’ve always worked well together, so it just feels right that she’s coming back for the Avatar sequels."

"Her character of Grace Augustine, as fans know, died in the first movie, so she’s playing a different and in many ways more challenging character in the upcoming films. We’re both looking forward to this new creative challenge, the latest chapter in our long and continuing collaboration."

Intriguing stuff. Hopefully we'll find out more when filming begins later this year, with Avatar 2 set to open in December 2016.