MALAYSIAN actress Michelle Yeoh has been cast as scientist Dr. Karina Mogue in James Cameron’s upcoming “Avatar” sequels, according to the franchise’s social media channels.

“Michelle has always created unique and memorable characters. I look forward to working with Michelle to do the same thing on the ‘Avatar’ sequels,” said Cameron in a tweet.

The 2009 fantasy epic “Avatar” grossed US$2.8 billion worldwide. “Avatar 2,” the first of four follow-up films, is set to hit U.S. theaters Dec. 18, 2020. The following films will release on the same weekend over the next few years, with “Avatar 3” arriving Dec. 17, 2021, “Avatar 4” on Dec. 20, 2024, and “Avatar 5” on Dec. 19, 2025.

Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington and Sigourney Weaver will return for the upcoming films, and will be joined by Kate Winslet and Oona Chaplin.

Yeoh, a mainstay on Asian action films, has made a successful transition into drama with 2018 hit “Crazy Rich Asians” and into sci-fi with “Star Trek: Discovery.”

Yeoh will next be seen in the holiday comedy “Last Christmas,” alongside Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding, as well as in sci-fi action film “Boss Level.” She will also be headlining a new “Star Trek: Discovery” spinoff.

(SD-Agencies)