Multiple sequels have already been confirmed for acclaimed director James Cameron‘s 2009 mega-hit Avatar, but the first could be years away.

In an interview with the New York Times, Cameron noted the first sequel won’t be ready until “at least” 2015. The confirmation came out of Cameron’s extravagant land purchase in New Zealand, which has become a hotbed for film production since Peter Jackson utilized it for his Lord Of The Rings trilogy.

The land is adjacent to Lake Pounui, just east of Wellington on the southern coast of North Island. The deal was worth an estimated $16 million (U.S.), for roughly 2,500 acres of land. Additionally, Cameron plans to work with locals in the filming process, while still using soundstage footage in Los Angeles.

Prior to Cameron’s confirmation of the sequels, which could focus on the other ecosystems on the fictional Pandora planet of the original film, star Sigourney Weaver had stated that Cameron might shoot “all three sequels.” Two sequels are a certainty, but Cameron hasn’t even ruled out the possibility of another one afterward.

Watch the original 2009 ‘Avatar’ trailer below: