Fear the Walking Dead actor will be the face of Avatar for the next four films

The sequel to Avatar is set to open seven years after its original planned release date in 2013, and the franchise has found its new lead character.

Cliff Curtis, best known for his work as Travis Manawa in AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead, has signed on in the lead role for all four Avatar sequels, according to a report from Deadline. Curtis will star alongside returning actors Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana and Sigourney Weaver.

Although the sequel is still three years away, Curtis’ casting announcement does come with a little more information about what to expect. The actor will be playing the leader of the Metkayina people, a civilization that lives under the sea. Director James Cameron has said in the past that a large part of the sequel will take place under water.

Another tidbit of information that we can take from this announcement is that Curtis won’t compete with Worthington for the top dog spot. Instead, the two will split their time on screen as leaders of two completely different tribes.

Avatar 2 was supposed to be released this year, but was pushed back following the delay of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Cameron said it had nothing to do with Disney’s predicted biggest film of the year, and cited the lack of technology available to him, which would prevent him from making the movie he has imagined.

Avatar 2 will now be released on Dec. 18, 2020. Avatar 5, the final installment in the franchise, will open on Dec. 19, 2025.