Almost seven years after "Avatar" became a box-office phenomenon, its sequel finally got a release date, which was revealed by director James Cameron.

The good news gets even better when Cameron tells Montreal Gazette that there will not be one but three "Avatar" sequels which will reach the theaters in Christmas 2017-- and in 2018 and 2019. That's three years of "Avatar" fascination. 

Media outlets are already calling "Avatar" the science fiction movie of the decade.

"At least, that's what we've announced. But I don't consider that to be as important as the fact that when we get all three films done, we drop them a year apart. I call it a meta-narrative that runs across the three movies. Each film stands alone, but it also tells one much larger story," said Cameron. "It's been about a two-year task. We've finished all the creatures and the landscapes, and the new worlds within the world of Pandora that you see. The writing is ongoing, but almost finished. Technical development is done. Stages are done. Infrastructure. So we're really poised to start after the first of the year."

For the second installment, Cameron has reported brought in Josh Friedman, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver and Shane Salerno.

Meanwhile, the plot will expand to whole new worlds and alluring habitats and cultures that we are still yet to see. We will meet new characters -- new creatures as well. But our much loved protagonist from "Avatar," Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) will be very present.

"The writing is ongoing, but almost finished. Technical development is done. Stages are done. Infrastructure. So we're really poised to start after the first of the year," Cameron said.

Unfortunately, "Fast and Furious" Michelle Rodriguez, who was part of "Avatar," won't be returning as the story may be deviating from her role, reports Crossmap.