Jon Landau, the acclaimed producer behind some of the highest-grossing films in history, including “Titanic” and “Avatar,” has passed away at the age of 63.
Landau, a long-time collaborator with director James Cameron, succumbed to cancer after battling the illness for over a year. His sister, Tina, confirmed his death on social media, paying tribute to him as “the best brother a girl could ever dream of.”
“My heart is broken but also bursting with pride and gratitude for his most extraordinary life, and the love and gifts he gave me – and all who knew him or his films,” Tina wrote in her heartfelt post.
Born to Hollywood producers Ely and Edie Landau, Jon Landau carved out his own remarkable career in the film industry.
He served as an executive at 20th Century Fox, where he oversaw iconic films such as “The Last of the Mohicans” and “Die Hard 2.” His partnership with James Cameron led to the creation of “Titanic” in 1997, which became the first film to surpass $1 billion at the global box office.
Landau’s success continued with the release of “Avatar” in 2009 and its sequel “Avatar: The Way of Water” in 2022, both of which went on to break the records set by “Titanic.”
Beyond these blockbusters, Landau co-produced other popular films, including “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” and “Dick Tracy.” He also held a significant management role in Cameron’s production company, Lightstorm Entertainment.
Following the news of Landau’s passing, James Cameron expressed his profound sorrow in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
“A great producer and a great human being has left us,” Cameron said. “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.”
Director Sir Peter Jackson and his screenwriter wife Fran Walsh, whose visual effects company was instrumental in the production of the “Avatar” films, also mourned Landau’s loss. “Jon brought unparalleled passion to the projects he worked on and his influence will continue to inspire for years to come,” they said in a joint statement.
Zoe Saldaña, who starred in the “Avatar” films, shared her grief on Instagram, noting that Landau’s death was “hitting really hard.” She acknowledged the profound impact he had on her life and career, writing, “Your wisdom and support shaped so many of us in ways we will always be grateful for.”
Jon Landau’s legacy in the film industry is marked by his dedication to storytelling and his ability to bring cinematic dreams to life.
His contributions have left an indelible mark on Hollywood, and he will be remembered fondly by those who knew him and the millions who enjoyed his films.