Producer Jon Landau, Recognized for ‘Titanic’ and ‘Avatar,’ Lifeless at 63: Experiences

Jon Landau, an Oscar-winning movie producer identified for his work on a number of of the highest-grossing movies of all time, died on Friday, July 5, in response to a number of retailers together with Deadline, Selection and The Hollywood Reporter. He was 63.

Selection reported Landau’s reason for dying as most cancers. No additional particulars have been offered.

A detailed collaborator of James Cameron, the Brooklyn, New York, native produced Titanic, in addition to each Avatar and its 2022 sequel, Avatar: The Method of Water — three of the highest-grossing films of all time.

Landau additionally served as chief working officer for Cameron’s manufacturing firm, Lightstorm Leisure, per Selection and THR. At Lightstorm, the duo produced movies together with 2002’s Solaris and 2019’s Alita: Battle Angel, and have been planning the way forward for the Avatar franchise.

Previous to his work with Cameron, Landau was the chief vp of characteristic movie manufacturing at twentieth Century Fox, per Selection. Throughout his time on the firm, he oversaw movies together with Die Exhausting 2, Mrs. Doubtfire and Energy Rangers.

After making his return to producing with 1997’s Titanic, Landau helped Cameron, 69, make historical past with the drama, which grew to become the primary movie to cross $1 billion on the world field workplace. The three-hour movie additionally earned a record-tying 11 Academy Awards, together with Finest Image. The file was beforehand held by Ben-Hur, and was matched once more by 2003’s Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

When Cameron confirmed Landau an early draft of the Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio-led movie, the late producer mentioned he “fell in love with it,” per THR. “It was not simply the script however the concept that this might be the final time that an epic, old style film is made, with tons of and tons of of extras — who aren’t digital,” Landau mentioned of the mission.

In a 2022 interview about The Method of Water, Landau informed THR that he had “seen an evolution of” Cameron since their careers first intertwined, and the director chimed in mid-chat to say, “Did he inform you we’re like an previous married couple?”

“I don’t need to say good issues in entrance of him — it’ll go to his head — however I really feel like there’s no drawback we are able to’t resolve,” Cameron added of their longtime partnership.

Titanic star Frances Fisher shared a tribute to Landau on July 6. In a submit on X (previously Twitter) replying to a request for an Alita: Battle Angel sequel, Fisher wrote, “Relaxation in Energy Jon.”

Filmmakers Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, whose firm Wētā FX offered VFX for the Avatar movies, additionally shared a press release following Landau’s dying.

“We converse for the whole Wētā FX group once we say we’re devastated by the lack of Jon Landau,” the assertion learn, per Selection. “Jon was not solely a monumental determine within the movie business but additionally a cherished collaborator and pal. Jon introduced unparalleled ardour to the initiatives he labored on and his affect will proceed to encourage for years to come back.”

“Our deepest condolences are with Jon’s household and family members, in addition to Jim and the Lightstorm Leisure group,” the assertion concluded.

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Landau is survived by his spouse of virtually 40 years, Julie, and their two sons, Jamie and Jodie, per Selection. He’s additionally survived by his siblings, Tina, Kathy and Les Landau.