The early death of successful film producer Jon Landau shocked Hollywood. He was only 63 years old.
Producer Jon Landau (1960-2024), known for the film classic “Titanic” and the “Avatar” films, has died. As several US media outlets have reported, Oscar-winning Landau died on July 5 at the age of 63. According to “Variety”, he is said to have suffered from cancer for 16 months. His son Jamie confirmed the sad news.
He was involved in many cult films
As a close collaborator of James Cameron (69), the producer from Brooklyn, New York, produced “Titanic” (1997), “Avatar” (2009) and its 2022 sequel – three of the highest-grossing films of all time. He was also Chief Operating Officer of Cameron’s production company Lightstorm Entertainment. There, the duo produced films such as “Solaris” (2002) and “Alita: Battle Angel” (2019) and planned the future of the Avatar series. Before that, Landau was Executive Vice President of Feature Film Production at 20th Century Fox. During this time, he oversaw cult films such as “Die Hard 2,” “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Power Rangers.”
“Titanic” was the first film to break the one billion dollar mark at the box office worldwide. The three-hour film also won a record-breaking eleven Oscars, including for Best Picture. The producer once said that he “fell in love with the drama” when he first drafted it. “It wasn’t just the script, but also the idea that this could be the last time an epic, old-fashioned film was made with hundreds and hundreds of extras – who aren’t digital.”
Colleagues pay tribute to the deceased
While James Cameron has not yet commented on the loss of his close confidant, “Titanic” star Frances Fisher (72) paid tribute to the deceased on July 6. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she wrote: “Rest in peace, Jon.” John Bergman, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, emphasized in a statement that Landau had left an “indelible mark” on the film industry: “Jon was a visionary whose extraordinary talent and passion brought some of the most unforgettable stories to life on screen. He was an iconic and successful producer, but an even better person and a true force of nature who inspired everyone around him.”
Filmmakers Peter Jackson (62) and Fran Walsh (65), whose company Wētā FX provided the visual special effects for the “Avatar” films, also released a statement: “We speak for the entire Wētā FX team when we say that we are devastated by the loss of Jon Landau. Jon was not only a monumental figure in the film industry, but also a valued collaborator and friend.” He brought “unparalleled passion to the projects.” “Our deepest condolences go out to Jon’s family and loved ones, as well as to Jim and the team at Lightstorm Entertainment.”
According to Variety, Landau leaves behind his wife Julie, with whom he was married for almost 40 years, and their two sons Jamie and Jodie.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
