Jon Landau, the acclaimed producer who collaborated closely with director James Cameron on blockbuster hits like Titanic and the Avatar franchise, has passed away at the age of 63.
“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” Said Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman.
“The Avatar family grieves the loss of our friend and leader, Jon Landau. His zany humor, personal magnetism, great generosity of spirit and fierce will have held the center of our Avatar universe for almost two decades. His legacy is not just the films he produced, but the… pic.twitter.com/fsR77qHoO2
— Avatar (@officialavatar) July 7, 2024
His partnership with Cameron on Titanic resulted in three Oscar nominations and a Best Picture win at the 1998 Academy Awards. Together, they continued to shape the landscape of American cinema with monumental successes such as the 3D sci-fi adventure “Avatar” and its sequel “Avatar: The Way of Water”.
Director Robert Rodriguez worked with Jon on the film “Alita: Battle Angel” and took to X.com to share.
Devastated by the loss of my friend and Alita producer Jon Landau. He was so kind and personable that it was easy to forget he was also producing the biggest films in the world. He loved his family and his extended filmmaking family. He was a true inspiration and will be greatly… pic.twitter.com/sAukOZYbiK
— Robert Rodriguez (@Rodriguez) July 7, 2024
Landau began his career in Hollywood during the 1980s as a production manager before making his mark as a producer on Titanic, a film that has grossed more than 2.2 Billion dollars since its release.
“I can’t act, I can’t compose, and I can’t do visual effects. I guess that’s why I’m producing,” Landau humorously remarked when accepting the Best Picture Oscar alongside Cameron, one of eleven Academy Awards earned by the film in 1998.
