James Cameron announces his return to Pandora for Avatar 2 and 3

Here's great news for anyone thinking of slapping on the blue paint for Halloween - James Cameron has officially announced the release dates for Avatar 2 and 3.

How do you follow-up the biggest box office success of all time in 2009, especially since you already broke your own record that stood for twelve years? For James Cameron, the answer was simple - sequels. Unlike his Titanic, which despite studio 20th Century Fox' pleading, went unfollowed, the self-proclaimed King of the World has officially announced he is taking cinemagoers back to Pandora in December 2014 and Decemer 2015 for Avatar 2 and Avatar 3 respectively.

Cameron confirmed the creation of the movies – which are expected to feature reprising actors Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana – would be an “epic journey”. The director has as yet not ruled out a reappearence of his frequent collaborator Sigourney Weaver.

He said: “With two new films on the drawing boards, my company and I are embarking on an epic journey with our partners at Twentieth Century Fox. Our goal is to meet and exceed the global audience's expectations for the richness of 'Avatar's' visual world and the power of the storytelling.”

He also confirmed the movies would be “self-contained” and “continue to explore themes and characters”. It is thought that both films will be shot back-to-back and filmed a year apart, much like the second and third installments of The Matrix and Pirates of the Caribbean franchises.

Fox Filmed Entertainment Chairmen Jim Gianopulos and Tim Rothman also confirmed today's news, claiming it was a “high priority” for the studio. Not surprising when you consider Avatar grossed over $2.8 billion in box office receipts since its release in Winter 2009. Cameron's much rumoured Cleopatra project alongside Angelina Jolie is now considered to be on hold, or the historical epic may seek a new director.

In a statement, the duo said: “'Avatar' is not only the highest grossing movie of all time, it is a created universe based on the singular imagination and daring of James Cameron, who also raised the consciousness of people worldwide to some of the greatest issues facing our planet.

"We had no higher priority, and can feel no greater joy, than enabling Jim to continue and expand his vision of the world of 'Avatar'. This is a great day in the history of our company.”