The ball has really been rolling on all things ‘Avatar’ lately. Last week, the world got it’s first look at the film’s Disney World expansion to their Animal Kingdom park, but big things have been happening on the sequel side of things as well. About two months ago, it was announced that James Cameron’s record-breaking 3D movie would be receiving a whole new trilogy  being shot back to back to continue the story of the Na’vi with an army of amazing screenwriters. Shortly after that, a rumor emerged about ‘Terminator’ star Arnold Schwarzenegger appearing as the villain in the first of the three, but it appears that we’ll be seeing a more familiar face in the role of the big bad the next time we see Pandora on the big screen.

According to Deadline, Cameron has revealed that Stephen Lang will be returning for all three of the upcoming ‘Avatar’ films to reprise his role as Colonel Miles Quaritch. While it looked like we may have seen the last of him, Lang’s character is being described as a mix between Darth Vader and the Terminator, two characters who never really seem to stay down. The filmmaker also reminds us that this is a very sci-fi tale, so anything can happen. Here’s what he had to say about the announcement:

“Steven was so memorable in the first film, we’re privileged to have him back. I’m not going to say exactly HOW we’re bringing him back, but it’s a science fiction story, after all. His character will evolve into really unexpected places across the arc of our new three-film saga. I really look forward to working with such a gifted actor, who’s also become a good friend.”

It’s a pretty big surprise to see the former Chief of Security of Hell’s Gate from the 2009 blockbuster making a comeback since he seemed to get a pretty finite ending thanks to Jake Sully and Neytiri, but like Cameron says, it’s a science fiction story. But with that said, how could Colonel Quaritch be resurrected? Does he have a Life Model Decoy? Maybe he’ll be a cyborg? What about time travel? Let us know all your thoughts and theories on this news in the comments below.

‘Avatar 2’ written by ‘War of the Worlds’ scribe Josh Friedman is scheduled for release in December 2016, followed by sequels in 2017 and 2018.