Avatar is the highest-grossing movie of all time, earning $2.9 billion worldwide, from its initial run as well as re-releases. Sequels seemed to be a given, but for various reasons, James Cameron waited almost 12 years before delivering the first follow-up. Two sequels were shot simultaneously, with two more in the works.
But considering the lengthy gap between the first movie and its sequels, Cameron appears to be cautious. According to him, those last two films might not actually get made. (Rumors are swirling that Warner Bros. is also considering scrapping plans for the two next Fantastic Beasts movies. Three have been made, but none have been runaway smashes.) As the auteur candidly declared, “The question is: how many people give a shit now?”
With the first sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water due to hit theaters in December, and the third in post-production, Cameron says that the third could also serve as a suitable finale for the entire series, unless fans demand more.
“The market could be telling us we’re done in three months, or we might be semi-done, meaning: ‘OK, let’s complete the story within movie three, and not go on endlessly’, if it’s just not profitable.”
The mega-hits Spider-Man: No Way Home and Top Gun: Maverick prove that even in a COVID world if there is quality product in theaters, audiences will risk gathering in crowded theaters. But once again, the extreme length of time between the first and second movies may have squelched excitement.
Cameron added:
“We’re in a different world now than we were when I wrote this stuff, even. It’s the one-two punch – the pandemic and streaming. Or, conversely, maybe we’ll remind people what going to the theatre is all about. This film definitely does that. The question is: how many people give a shit now?”
Interestingly, Cameron doesn’t really plan to direct two more Avatar movies. If The Way of Water does well, he seems keen to helm the fourth film in the franchise, but has stated that he has other projects of interest, so the fifth will likely be helmed by someone else.
“The Avatar films themselves are kind of all-consuming. I’ve got some other things I’m developing as well that are exciting. I think eventually over time – I don’t know if that’s after three or after four – I’ll want to pass the baton to a director that I trust to take over, so I can go do some other stuff that I’m also interested in. Or maybe not. I don’t know.”
Are you excited that so many new Avatar movies could be on the way? Would you be interested in sequels that are not directed by Cameron?
Avatar: The Way of Water will flood theaters on December 16.
