Jon Landau, Producer of ‘Titanic’ and ‘Avatar,’ Dies at 63

Jon Landau, the film producer behind box office hits such as Titanic in 1997 and Avatar in 2009, has passed away at the age of 63.

Landau’s son confirmed his death to The Hollywood Reporter on Saturday, July 6. Specific details regarding the cause and time of his death were not immediately disclosed.

Director and screenwriter Peter Jackson, along with producer and screenwriter Fran Walsh, expressed their sorrow in a statement to Variety. Their visual effects company, Wētā FX, had collaborated with Landau on the Avatar movies created by James Cameron.

“Jon was not only a monumental figure in the film industry but also a cherished collaborator and friend,” the statement read. “Jon brought unparalleled passion to the projects he worked on and his influence will continue to inspire for years to come. Our deepest condolences are with Jon’s family and loved ones, as well as Jim and the Lightstorm Entertainment team.”

Alan Bergman, Disney Entertainment’s co-chairman, also reminisced about Landau’s exceptional talent and passion in a statement shared with The Associated Press on Saturday.

“His remarkable contributions to the film industry have left an indelible mark, and he will be profoundly missed,” Bergman’s statement read. “He was an iconic and successful producer yet an even better person and a true force of nature who inspired all around him.”

Born to movie producers on July 23, 1960, in New York, Landau earned early co-production credits on films like Honey, I Shrunk the Kids in 1989 and Dick Tracy in 1990. He was climbing the studio ranks when he joined forces with Cameron for Titanic. The film became a massive box office success, setting records that they later broke with the release of Avatar in 2009.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, The Associated Press