Kate Winslet to reunite with James Cameron for Avatar sequel

James Cameron and Kate Winslet. Photo / Getty

Despite indicating that she would never work with James Cameron again after the "ordeal" of filming Titanic, Kate Winslet has signed on to the forthcoming Avatar sequels, where she will playing a mysterious new character called Ronal.

"Kate and I have been looking for something to do together for 20 years, since our collaboration on Titanic, which was one of the most rewarding of my career," Cameron told Deadline. "I can't wait to see her bring the character of Ronal to life."

Kate Winslet, James Cameron, and Leonardo DiCaprio. Photo / Getty

Winslet and Cameron have a checkered history, with the actress telling the Los Angeles Times in 1997 that during filming of Titanic she nearly drowned, contracted influenza and suffered extreme chill after being stood up in cold water for hours on end.

"He's a nice guy, but the problem was that his vision for the film was as clear as it was," she said. "He has a temper like you wouldn't believe. As it was, the actors got off lightly. I think Jim knew he couldn't shout at us the way he did to his crew because our performances would be no good.

"He's a really tough nut to crack - there were times I was genuinely frightened of him."

Kate Winslet and James Cameron during 3rd Annual Broadcast Film Critics Awards at Hotel Sofitel in Los Angeles, California, United States. Photo / Getty

She also spent much of the press tour for the Titanic re-release in 2012 implying that she wasn't the biggest fan of the film. Along with explaining that Celine Dion's theme song makes her "feel like throwing up," she also recalled her reaction to watching the film again, saying "Oh my God, make it stop! Is that me? Oh my God, that's me. Block my ears, somebody! Somebody club out my senses. Make it f------ stop!"

In response, Cameron told Moviefone that Winslet needed to move on: "I understand her needing to distance herself from it. But, on the other hand, you know, it's been 16 years, like, come on, Kate. Get over it. Take the wind, girl!"

Director James Cameron (L) and actress Kate Winslet attend the Titanic 3D world premiere at the Royal Albert Hall on March 27, 2012 in London, England. Photo / Getty

In any case, the pair appear to have made up. The first of four entirely necessary Avatar sequels has just started filming for a December 2020 release. The second sequel will follow in December 2021, followed by Avatar 4 in December 2024 and Avatar 5 in December 2025.