Film producer Jon Landau dies at 63

Advance:

• Film producer Jon Landau has died at the age of 63.
• He maintained a close working relationship with screenwriter and director James Cameron.
• Landau helped direct films such as “Titanic” and the “Avatar” franchise.

Jon Landaua respected film producer who is largely responsible for James CameroMovies from n since ‘Titanic“The actor who made a successful entrance into the screens passed away after a cancer diagnosis. He was 63 years old.

Landau, who had a passion for movies, was always a warm and welcome presence to members of the press on sets, where he was the biggest advocate for the filmmakers he worked with and frequently made himself available to tour the sets and answer questions.

Related Article: Producer Jon Landau Talks ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ Digital Release

Jon Landau: Early Life and Career

Born in 1960 in New York, he was the son of Ely A. Landau and Edie Landau, who owned movie theaters in Manhattan, founded the American Film Theater, and produced more than a dozen films themselves.

Landau’s own path into film history began at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts.

Early in his career, he rose through the ranks at 20th Century Fox, eventually becoming executive vice president of feature film production. During this period, he honed his skills as a producer, working on films such as “Die Hard 2‘, ‘The Last of the Mohicans‘, ‘Mrs. Doubtfire‘ and ‘True Lies‘, which put him in contact with director James Cameron.

Jon Landau and James Cameron

Landau and Cameron worked together so successfully on that film that when Landau decided to produce again himself, he received offers from three directors and opted to join Cameron to work on a project the filmmaker had codenamed “Planet Ice.”

The result, of course, was “Titanic,” which became a cultural phenomenon. Despite a monumentally (and well-documented) troubled production, the film broke box office records and earned Landau his first Academy Award for Best Picture.

Landau joined Cameron’s company Lightstorm Entertainment and the duo continued their successful partnership with ‘Avatar‘ surpassing ‘Titanic’ to become the highest-grossing film of all time (a record it held for a decade).

They continued to push the boundaries of cinema with ‘Alita: Battle Angel‘ (directed by Roberto Rodriguez) and the recent ‘Avatar: The Way of Water‘ cementing Landau’s position as a producer who consistently delivered visually stunning and commercially successful films.

Cameron sent a statement to Variety On Landau’s death:

“The ‘Avatar’ family mourns the loss of our friend and leader, Jon Landau. His zany humor, personal magnetism, great generosity of spirit and fierce will have been the center of our ‘Avatar’ universe for nearly two decades. His legacy is not just the films he produced, but the personal example he set: indomitable, supportive, inclusive, tireless, insightful and utterly unique. He produced great films, not by exerting power, but by spreading warmth and the joy of filmmaking. He inspired all of us to be and do our best, every day. I have lost a dear friend and my closest collaborator of 31 years. A part of me has been torn away.”

Jon Landau dies: Peter Jackson pays tribute to him

Peter Jackson and Fran Walshwho, in addition to their own cinematic achievements, are co-owners of Wētā FX, which creates the effects for the “Avatar” films, paid tribute:

“We speak on behalf of the entire team at Wētā FX 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 beloved collaborator and friend. Jon brought unparalleled passion to the projects he worked on and his influence will continue to inspire for many years to come. Our deepest condolences go out to Jon’s family and loved ones, as well as to Jim and the team at Lightstorm Entertainment.”

Landau is survived by his wife Julie, who once worked as a film accountant; his children Jamie, an actor; Jodie, a vocalist, composer and percussionist; two sisters, Tina Landau, a theater director, and Kathy Landau, executive director of the Manhattan arts organization Symphony Space; and his half-brother Les Landau, a director of several television shows.Star Trek‘ series.

“James comes with big dreams,” Landau told The Jewish Journal in 2010“And it’s my job to make those dreams come true.”

He was right about that, and Cameron ––not to mention the entire film world–– will definitely miss him.

Jon Landau Movies:

Buy Jon Landau movies on Amazon