James Cameron, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Zoe Saldaña, Alan Bergman, Peter Jackson, and the cast and crew of Avatar: The Way of Water are among the Hollywood figures paying tribute to Jon Landau, who passed away on Friday at the age of 63.
Landau, an Oscar-winning producer, was best known for his collaborations with Cameron on blockbuster films such as Titanic and the Avatar franchise. His other credits include Alita: Battle Angel, Solaris, and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.
In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Cameron reflected on his longtime friend, saying, “A great producer and a great human being has left us. Jon Landau believed in the dream of cinema. He believed that film is the ultimate human art form, and to make films you have to first be human yourself. He will be remembered as much for his vast generosity of spirit as for the movies themselves.”
Cameron added, “I worked with Jon Landau for 31 years and I never saw him downcast once. He led with a balance of humor and fierce will, and true joy in the work. When I met him, he was the studio ‘suit’ assigned to oversee True Lies in ’93. In the midst of the logistical nightmare of that production, we came to respect and enjoy each other. A bond forged in fire. I lured him away from Fox to join my production company, Lightstorm, and together we then tackled Titanic, a production as ambitious and seemingly ill-fated as the ship itself. Jon bore the brunt of the studio pressure and gave his all to provide the time and resources for me to make the film I saw in my head. From that, we became brothers in arms. We believed we could solve any production problem. The next mountain we climbed was Avatar, a production that more resembled the Manhattan Project… making up new physics as we went along. Mastering a brand new methodology to tell stories. Again Jon gave his all, and never lost faith that we were doing something extraordinary and that we would somehow prevail. In the process, we not only made a film, we forged a family. Jon was the heart of the Avatar family, with his humor, generosity, and enormous capacity to make people feel valued and ‘seen.’ He gave everyone a sense of purpose and belonging. And this continued through the making of the sequels. It is impossible to convey how much our tight-knit group will miss this man, this force of nature… the center of gravity of our little bubble universe. Jon created a community, a family, on Avatar and at Lightstorm, but not at the expense of his own family, who were always his highest priority.”
Cameron continued his heartfelt tribute, “Jon was my right hand and I was his. In recent years we became a trapeze act… total interdependence, total trust, total synchronization. We became not only the closest of working partners but the closest of friends. My last message to him was not only that I loved him but that I missed our daily dialogue. We would talk twenty times a day, usually in his office which he placed strategically between mine and the set. Solving every problem that came along. Jon had the strength to tell me when I was wrong, and I learned over the years to trust that he was right. Jon loved his work and loved the people around him, the amazing team he had built. Every day was a joyful battle, against entropy — the chaos that threatens to unravel every human endeavor. The center always held, under Jon’s watchful eye. We fought through the pandemic together to deliver Avatar: The Way of Water. Together, we thought we could solve anything. But you can’t solve the fragility of life itself. I am grateful for every year, every day, every minute we had together. I am grateful for the belief he had in me and what his partnership allowed us to accomplish together. A part of myself has been torn away. But the amazing team he assembled and led still remains, and we will dedicate ourselves to fulfilling Jon’s legacy. Not just the films yet to come, but the love and connection that binds the Avatar and Lightstorm family together.”
DiCaprio, who starred in Titanic in 1997, told The Hollywood Reporter, “Landau was an incredibly kind, wise, and empathetic soul who wanted to create nothing but a positive impact on anyone or anything approached. His legacy and leadership will live on forever. My condolences are with his entire family. Rest in peace; you will be deeply missed.”
Kate Winslet, who also starred in Titanic, said, “Jon Landau was the kindest and best of men. Having known him since I was 20 years old, I can honestly say that his passion for filmmaking only deepened with age. He was a man who was rich with compassion and exceptional at supporting and nurturing teams of phenomenal creative people. His strength in life was knowing the importance of family, at home and at work. He was always full of smiles and gratitude. I can’t believe I am writing this, can’t believe he is gone.”
Saldaña, who starred in Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water, wrote in an Instagram tribute, “Words are hard to put together right now, your passing is hitting really hard. You are leaving us too soon, my thoughts are with you and your family right now. Your wisdom and support shaped so many of us in ways we will always be grateful for. The memories we shared together will always hold a special place in my heart. Your legacy will continue to inspire us and guide us in our journey. Rest in peace, dear Jon. You will be deeply missed.”
Sam Worthington, who starred alongside Saldaña in the Avatar films, said in a statement, “Jon was all heart. He made everything and everyone he touched feel they could be better. He led with humor and strength, compassion and kindness. The People say all energy is borrowed and someday you have to give it back. I see you, Jon.”
Alan Bergman, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, paid tribute, saying, “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.”
Peter Jackson and screenwriter Fran Walsh of Wētā FX, which worked on the Avatar films, also shared their grief in a joint statement, saying, “We speak for the entire Wētā 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. 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.”
Joe Letteri, who won an Oscar for visual effects work on the Avatar films, expressed his sentiments, writing, “I am heartbroken at the loss of our friend Jon Landau. He was an amazing and generous man, and a world-class filmmaker who leaves a legacy that will last for generations. On behalf of all of us at Wētā FX, it was an honor to work beside him. His dedication to the art of filmmaking inspired us every day. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
Many others took to social media to honor Landau, expressing their sorrow and celebrating his contributions to the film industry.
Rest in peace, Jon Landau.