Oscar-winning Titanic and Avatar producer Jon Landau dies aged 63

Jon Landau, the producer of Titanic who won an Oscar, passed away on Friday, July 5 at the age of 63.

Despite his successful producing partnership with James Cameron, Landau is perhaps best known for his involvement in three of the highest-grossing films in history: Titanic, Avatar, and Avatar: The Way of Water.

In 1997, he was responsible for creating Titanic, the first film to surpass the billion dollar mark at the box office. He was awarded the Academy Award for Best Picture for his contributions to the James Cameron movie. Additionally, Landau received Oscar nominations for his work on both Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water.

Before his passing, he was heavily committed to the production of the upcoming Avatar sequels.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhmA_OUFOAo

Golden Globes 2023 Red Carpet Interview with Jon Landau | Entertainment Weekly (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhmA_OUFOAo)

Landau’s initial collaboration with Cameron was the 1994 film True Lies. Following this, Cameron entrusted him with the script for what eventually became the blockbuster hit Titanic. Subsequently, Landau assumed the role of chief operating officer at Lightstorm Entertainment, Cameron’s production company.

According to Variety, Landau passed away due to cancer.

Both Cameron and Titanic star Kate Winslet have paid tribute to Landau, with Winslet describing him as “the kindest and best of men.”

In response to the news of Jon Landau’s passing, Kate Winslet expressed, “He was a compassionate man who excelled in supporting and empowering teams of incredibly talented individuals. His priority in life was recognizing the value of family, both at home and in the workplace. He was always filled with joy and appreciation. I am in disbelief as I write this, and I still can’t come to terms with his passing.”

In a statement published by Deadline, Cameron expressed, “The entire Avatar community mourns the passing of our dear friend and guiding force, Jon Landau. His unique sense of humor, captivating charisma, boundless kindness, and unwavering determination have been at the heart of our Avatar world for nearly twenty years.”

Despite his many accomplishments as a film producer, his true legacy lies in the personal example he set. He was known for his unwavering determination, compassion, inclusivity, and tireless work ethic, making him truly one of a kind. Rather than relying on his authority, he created great films by fostering a welcoming and joyful atmosphere in the world of cinema.

“His constant inspiration pushed us to always strive for our best, day in and day out. With the loss of a dear friend and my closest collaborator of 31 years, a piece of myself feels like it has been ripped away.”

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