Jon Landau, Oscar-Winning ‘Titanic’ and ‘Avatar’ Producer, Dies at 63

He was 63. Landau, a longtime producing partner to James Cameron, was behind three of the top four highestgrossing movies of all time. Landau helped make history with Titanic, the first film to cross $1 billion at the global box office. He topped that movies recordbreaking grosses twice, with 2009s Avatar and its sequel, 2022s Avatar The Way of Water. Before his death, Landau was deeply involved in the production of the Avatar sequels. Cameron is planning to fill his blockbuster scifi franchise with five movies in total, with the fifth tentatively coming out in 2031. Speaking to Variety at the Way of Water premiere, Landau recalled screening the movie for the principal cast. When I saw them tearing up, I had to tear up, he said. Popular on Variety AvatarTheWayOfWater producer Jon Landau talks about the long journey for the scifi sequel "Two weeks ago I screened the movie for our principal cast When I saw them tearing up, I had to tear up." https//t.co/AEWbINermM pic.twitter.com/bwIfCeka4o Variety (@Variety) December 13, 2022 At age 29, Landau became the executive vice president of feature film production at 20th Century Fox, where he oversaw films such as Die Hard 2, Power Rangers, The Last of the Mohicans and True Lies, on which he met Cameron. In 1994, the director asked Landau if he wanted to read the script for a project with the code name Planet Ice, which Landau boarded and which eventually became 1997s Titanic. Landau would go on to work with Cameron for the rest of his life, becoming chief operating officer at Camerons Lightstorm Entertainment banner. He additionally is the architect of Lightstorms ancillary projects, such as Dark Horse Comics and Penguin Random Houses various Avatar print spinoffs. Landau also advised the creation of Avatar Frontiers of Pandora, the wellreceived Ubisoft game that released in December, as well as an online multiplayer roleplaying game from Tencent Games Level Infinite called Avatar Reckoning. Landaus other producing credits include 1987s Campus Man, 2002s Solaris and 2019s Alita Battle Angel. In a 2022 interview with The Talks, Landau said of his career in Hollywood I could never just sit at a desk and sign off on anything. Not just as a producer, but in life. I want to participate, I want to have a voice, I want to have an influence. I want to be able to inspire people to go beyond what they think their own capabilities are, for them to feel pride in what were doing. I think thats a very big thing. I never want to be that guy just at a desk anywhere in life. He leaves behind his wife, Julie Landau, to whom he was married for almost 40 years, as well as their two songs, Jamie and Jodie Landau. He is also survived by his siblings, Tina, Kathy and Les Landau. Those who worked with Landau offered tributes, including cochairman of Disney Entertainment Alan Bergman, who said, Jon was a visionary whose extraordinary talent and passion brought some of the most unforgettable stories to life on the big screen. His remarkable contributions to the film industry have left an indelible mark, and he will be profoundly missed. He was an iconic and successful producer yet an even better person and a true force of nature who inspired all around him. Our thoughts are with Jons wife, Julie, and his family and loved ones during this difficult time. Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, whose Wt FX company was the visual effects house for the Avatar movies, also released a statement We speak for the entire Wt FX team when we say we are devastated by the loss of Jon Landau. Jon was not only a monumental figure in the film industry but also a cherished collaborator and friend. Jon brought unparalleled passion to the projects he worked on and his influence will continue to inspire for years to come. Our deepest condolences are with Jons family and loved ones, as well as Jim and the Lightstorm Entertainment team. Joe Letteri, who was the VFX supervisor on the Avatar films, added in his own statement, I am heartbroken at the loss of our friend Jon Landau. He was an amazing and generous man, and a worldclass film maker who leaves a legacy that will last for generations. On behalf of all of us at Wt FX, it was an honour to work beside him. His dedication to the art of filmmaking inspired us every day. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones. Titanic actor Frances Fisher paid tribute to Landau on X, writing, Rest in Power Jon.