Oscar-winning Titanic producer Jon Landau dies at 63 as Hollywood colleagues pay tribute
Jon Landau, the producer behind iconic movies such as Avatar and Titanic, has died at the age of 63, his son has confirmed
Oscar -winning producer Jon Landau has died at the age of 63, his son has confirmed.
Landau was best known for producing movies such as Titanic and Avatar and he is credited with playing a part in three of the four highest-grossing movies of all time. The iconic producer's cause of death has not yet been confirmed, but a Disney spokesperson said he died on Friday after a 16-month battle with cancer.
Following the sad news, tributes poured in for Landau. Among them was a heartfelt tribute by Lord Of The Rings director Sir Peter Jackson and his wife Fran Walsh.
READ MORE - Kate Winslet trained herself to hold breath for 7 minutes for gruelling Avatar 2 filming
READ MORE - James Cameron slams rumours he is in talks to create show based on Titan sub disaster
It read: "We speak for the entire Weta FX team when we say we are devastated by the loss of Jon Landau. Jon was not only a monumental figure in the film industry but also a cherished collaborator and friend."
The couple, whose Weta FX company was the visual effects house for the Avatar films, continued: "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 (Cameron) and the Lightstorm Entertainment team."
The official Avatar social media account also paid tribute on Twitter /X. Sharing an image of Jon with the animation's poster behind him, the caption by filmmaker James Cameron read: "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 personal example he set — indomitable, caring, inclusive, tireless, insightful and utterly unique. He produced great films, not by wielding power but by spreading warmth and the joy of making cinema. He inspired us all to be and to bring our best, every day. I have lost a dear friend, and my closest collaborator of 31 years. A part of myself has been torn away."
Joe Letteri, who worked with Jon as the visual effects supervisor on the Avatar films, also commented: "I am heartbroken at the loss of our friend Jon Landau.
"He was an amazing and generous man, and a world-class film-maker who leaves a legacy that will last for generations. On behalf of all of us at Weta FX, it was an honour to work beside him. His dedication to the art of film-making inspired us every day. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones."
Other films Jon had been involved in included classics such as Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and Dick Tracy. He also spent five years as an executive at Fox, where movie productions he oversaw included the likes of Die Hard 2, Mrs Doubtfire and True Lies.
Related
Share this page
Guest Posts by Easy Branches
