Cliff Curtis earns massive praise as he is announced in his biggest role yet

He's come a long way since the Uncle Bully days, but we think our main man Cliff Curtis may have just scored himself the role of lifetime!

Curtis has just landed the role of a lifetime - cast as a lead character in all four of James Cameron's upcoming Avatar films.

Producer Jon Landau revealed the news exlusively to the New Zealand Herald today, saying both he and Cameron were "really excited".

"Not only is Cliff a great actor but he is a great person too," said Landau from his Los Angeles office.

Curtis will play Tonowari, who is the leader of the Metkayina, the reef people clan.

Landau said both he and Cameron, who are members of New Zealand's screen advisary board, have followed Curtis' career from Once Were Warriors through to Dark Horse.

"No one shines brighter than Cliff," said Landau, adding that Curtis is "a shining example of the extraordinary creative talents from New Zealand's film community that have drawn us to produce our films in the country".

Curtis will join returning cast members Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington and Sigourney Weaver on the shoot, which will begin production at Wellington's Stone Street Studios next year.

• This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission.