Explosive first trailer for Avatar 3 has been released

The first trailer for the third Avatar movie is officially upon us, and fans have a lot to look forward to.

Director James Cameron launched the Avatar franchise way back in 2009, but it took 13 years for the second epic, Avatar: The Way of Water, to be released - which proved a huge success, grossing $2.3 billion worldwide.

The three-time Oscar-winning great - who we should point out scooped all three accolades in 1998 for Titanic - has shortened the gap between the second and third of the franchise to just three years.

Yes, Avatar: Fire and Ash is earmarked for release this year.

"From Director James Cameron, watch the trailer for Avatar: Fire and Ash," the official Avatar account wrote on Twitter today (July 28).

"Experience the film only in theaters December 19."

You can watch the trailer here:

But the trilogy will be short-lived, with Avatar's fourth movie earmarked for 2029, and a fifth in 2031.

Speaking about why he opted to make the second and third films in the franchise two separate movies playing out the same storyline, Cameron told Empire: "In a nutshell, we had too many great ideas packed into act one of movie 2.

"The [film] was moving like a bullet train, and we weren’t drilling down enough on character. So I said, 'Guys, we’ve got to split it'."

The director went on to tease: "Movie three will actually be a little bit longer than movie two."

Cameron explained how he's drawn a lot of inspiration from his own life, as did the other co-writers of the Avatar franchise.

"These movies are a lot more than just propulsive plot and gorgeous spectacle. I mean, these are real characters," he continued.

Jake Sully, played by Sam Worthington, will return to theaters in December (20th Century Studios)

"These characters are amalgams of us, our childhoods, our role as parents, the mistakes we made, and probably to some extent continue to make as parents. I mean, Jake is a hard-a** motherf*cker. He’s very hard on his kids. Well, that’s me."

As well as Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña, returning stars include the likes of Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang and Kate Winslet. Meanwhile, David Thewlis and Michelle Yeoh are set to join the cast.

So, how have fans reacted to the esteemed director's work?

Taking to Twitter, one user commented underneath the Avatar: Fire and Ash trailer: "James Cameron has lost his edge. This looks kind of mid like the second sequel. Loved the first Avatar though."

While another typed: "James Cameron back with PEAK cinema. F**k the haters. Movie of the Year incoming Real Avatar patriots RISE up."

If the success of the first two is anything to go by, I think Cameron won't be too worried by the critics!

Avatar: Fire and Ash is set to hit theaters on December 19.