Has any film ever not based on a book series planned three sequels in advance? Given the technological wizardry that goes into making "Avatar," perhaps such preparations are necessary if producers are confident audiences will crave at least one more version following the first sequel, set to release in December 2016. From there, the films follow a similar schedule as "The Lord of the Rings," dropping each of the next two Decembers. Unlike "Lord of the Rings," of course, "Avatar" wasn't inspired by a book series revered in history, but birthed from the mind of director James Cameron.

Still, Cameron, also one of the film's producers, isn't taking too great of a risk. For one, the original was the highest grossing movie of all time. Second, he's signed the first film's two biggest and most indispensable stars for all three sequels: Sam Worthington, 37, and Zoe Saldana, 35.

"Jake Sully is a rare combination of passion, strength, street smarts and soul, which requires a lot from an actor. Sam brought to the role a combination of sensitivity, vulnerability and strength," Cameron said. "Zoë captured every aspect of the character I envisioned, bringing to Neytiri a mix of delicacy, fierceness and incredible physicality. I am beyond pleased they'll be returning with us to Pandora."

Other than those two, most of the other characters played by famous actors died in the first "Avatar." In fact, every one of them did except resource shark Parker Selfridge, played by "The Boiler Room's" Giovanni Ribisi. (According to imdb, however, Weaver and Miles Quaritch, the army commander with the three large, symmetrical facial scars, will return for the sequel.)

"Don't worry, I will be back," Weaver told screenrant.com. "James Cameron says no one ever dies in science ficiton. He's told me the stories for the next two movies and I have to say they're absolutely wonderful and there's a real treat in store. Now we just have to make them."

Third, the fantastical world he's created using some of the most advanced filmmaking technology available is nearly worth the price of admission itself. That means he'll only have to produce a decent plot.

As per Weaver's statements, Cameron has some ideas for the direction of the next three movies, though that hasn't stopped him from hiring a team of writers for help: "War of the Worlds'" Josh Friedman, "Rise of the Planet of the Apes'" Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, and "Savages'" Shane Salerno, according to E News.

Hopefully for "Avatar" fans like myself (and probably billions of others), the course of the sequels follow the "Lord of the Rings" not just in format, but in quality as well. Maybe Cameron and the rest of his crew will be more comfortable with the complex film technology they use, enabling them to focus more on the details, the acting, and the finer points of the story line. Here's to also hoping the film strays from the style of "Lord of the Rings" by making three movies with three distinct plot lines. After "The Hobbit's" now annual conclusionary teases (as well as "the Hunger Games'"), audiences are sickening of movies that are more Jason Kidd than Michael Jordan (as in more passers than scorers). You've got a whole team of writers, Cameron, so write us three amazing stories, not just one stretched into three movies. Given the fact that all three movies are going to be shot in a matter of years, that likely won't be the case.