James Cameron Remembers Late Titanic, Avatar Producer Jon Landau As He Mourns “A Part Of Myself”

James Cameron is mourning the death of a close friend and collaborator.

Following the death of Titanic and Avatar producer Jon Landau, the Oscar-winning director paid tribute to his late Lightstorm Entertainment partner in a heartfelt statement on Saturday.

“The Avatar family grieves the loss of our friend and leader, Jon Landau,” he began in a statement shared with Deadline. “His zany humor, personal magnetism, great generosity of spirit and fierce will have held the center of our Avatar universe for almost two decades.

“His legacy is not just the films he produced, but the personal example he set —  indomitable, caring, inclusive, tireless, insightful and utterly unique. He produced great films, not by wielding power but by spreading warmth and the joy of making cinema. He inspired us all to be and to bring our best, every day. I have lost a dear friend, and my closest collaborator of 31 years. A part of myself has been torn away,” added Cameron.

After serving as EVP of Feature Productions at 20th Century Fox, Landau joined Cameron as COO of his newly formed Lightstorm Entertainment, where they went on to make box office history with Titanic (1997) and again with Avatar (2009).