The producer of Avatar and Titanic was 63 years old

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Jon Landau, the Oscar-winning producer of “Titanic” and both “Avatar” films, has died of cancer. He was 63.

Landau, a longtime producing partner of James Cameron, has been behind three of the four highest-grossing films of all time. Landau helped make history with “Titanic,” the first film to top $1 billion at the global box office. He has broken that film’s grossing records twice, with “Avatar” in 2009 and its sequel, “Avatar: Waterfall,” in 2022.

Before his death, Landau was heavily involved in the production of the Avatar sequels. Cameron plans to complete his successful sci-fi franchise with five films in total, with the fifth slated for 2031.

Talk to Variety At the premiere of “Way of Water,” Landau recalled watching the film in front of the lead actors. “When I saw them burst into tears, I had tears in my eyes,” he said.

In the 1990s, Landau was executive vice president of feature production at 20th Century Fox, which in 1995 struck a first-look deal with Cameron subsidiary Lightstorm Entertainment, where Landau was chief operating officer. At 20th Century, Landau oversaw such films as “Die Hard 2,” “Power Rangers,” “True Lies” and “The Last of the Mohicans.”

He is also the architect of Lightstorm’s side projects, such as Dark Horse Comics and Penguin Random House’s various Avatar spinoffs. Landau also advised on the creation of Ubisoft’s well-received Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, released in December, as well as a multiplayer online role-playing game from Tencent Games’ Level Infinite called Avatar: Reckoning.

Landau’s other producing credits include 1987’s “Campus Man,” 2002’s “Solaris” and 2019’s “Alita: Battle Angel.”

“We speak for the entire Wētā 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 valued collaborator and friend,” said Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, whose Wētā FX company was the visual effects company for the “Avatar” films. “Jon brought an unparalleled passion to the projects he worked on and his influence will continue to inspire for years to come. Our deepest sympathies go out to Jon’s family and loved ones, as well as to Jim and the team at Lightstorm Entertainment.”

Joe Letteri, who was the visual effects supervisor on the Avatar films, added in his own statement: “I am heartbroken by the loss of our friend Jon Landau. He was an incredible, generous man, and a world-renowned filmmaker who leaves a legacy that will last for generations. On behalf of all of us at Wētā FX, it was an honor to work alongside him. His dedication to the art of filmmaking inspired us every day. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”

“Titanic” actress Frances Fisher paid tribute to Landau on X, writing: “Rest in peace Jon.”

Landau was born in New York, NY on July 30, 1960, to parents Ely and Edie Landau, both also film producers. He attended the USC School of Cinematic Arts.