James Cameron misses L.A. premiere of ‘Avatar’ due to COVID

“Avatar” is set to return to Hollywood on Monday night, more than a decade since the franchise debuted in 2009. Too bad director James Cameron won’t be there.

The Oscar winner will miss a screening of “Avatar: The Way of Water” at the El Capitan Theater tonight due to a bout of COVID-19, Deadline reported Monday afternoon.

“I’m in LA, just back from Tokyo, and I managed to pick up COVID on the plane,” he told Deadline. “I’m isolated and can’t go to my own premiere tonight.”

Despite Cameron testing positive for the virus, Disney told Deadline the director is “feeling good” and will “complete his schedule virtually.”

Cameron revealed his diagnosis Sunday during the opening ceremony of his exhibit — “Pressure: James Cameron into the Abyss” — at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the Hollywood Reporter reported. As with Monday night’s premiere, Cameron was scheduled to attend the opening ceremonies in person, but instead appeared on Zoom.

“First of all, I want to apologize to everyone who gathered there tonight. I can’t be at my own party,” he said Sunday night. “So of course I can’t be there [can’t] endanger other people”

The filmmaker has traveled the world since the world premiere of The Way of Water in London on December 6th. After the UK, he traveled to Seoul, South Korea, and then to Tokyo, Japan for further events.

“The number of people I’ve said to over the years, ‘Ah, we’ll catch up and see you at the premiere’ … well, I don’t think so,” he told Deadline. “One thinks and God directs.”

The Way of Water is the long-awaited sequel to Cameron’s 2009 Oscar-winning blockbuster. Stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver and Stephen Lang return for the sequel. Featuring Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis and Edie Falco.

Avatar: The Way of Water hits theaters on Friday.