AceShowbiz - The "Avatar: The Way of Water" cast will be left navigating the red carpet of the Hollywood premiere without the most important man behind the camera. James Cameron is forced to sit out the promotional event for the movie in Los Angeles on Monday evening, December 12 after testing positive for COVID-19.

Confirming the news earlier on Monday, a Disney spokesperson assured the 68-year-old filmmaker is "fine" despite catching the virus. He will continue to engage in publicity for the film, albeit virtually.

"Jim has COVID but is feeling fine. He tested positive as part of a routine testing cadence," the rep said in a statement. "He will continue to complete his schedule virtually but will not be at the premiere."

Speaking to Deadline, Cameron shared he believes he caught the virus on the plane while on the way back to L.A. from Tokyo, Japan, where he and the cast recently attended another premiere for the movie. "I am in LA, just back from Tokyo, and I managed to pick up Covid on the plane, so I'm isolated and can't go to my own premiere tonight," he told the outlet.

Pointing out the irony of the promise he made while making the sequel, he added, "The number of people I've told over the years, 'ah, we'll catch up and I'll see you at the premiere...' well, I guess not. Man proposes, and God disposes."

Cameron, producer Jon Landau and the entire cast have been traveling across the Europe and Asia to promote "The Way of Water". Just last week, they attended the film's world premiere in London before heading to Seoul, South Korea for a Friday premiere and Tokyo for a Saturday event.

The director, however, missed an "Avatar: The Way of Water" screening for Academy members on Sunday with a Q&A afterward, during which Landau filled in.

"Avatar: The Way of Water" will finally hit the screen in U.S. theaters on December 16.