Studio Resists Expanding ‘Avatar’ Sequels Beyond Original Vision
In a recent interview with Discussing Film, renowned director James Cameron discussed the evolution of the “Avatar” franchise. Initially, he intended to create three sequels following the colossal success of the original “Avatar,” released in 2009. However, this plan expanded to four sequels, resulting in a total of five films in the franchise.
Expansion of the Avatar Franchise
Cameron revealed that the original script for “Avatar: The Way of Water” was split into two parts, creating both “The Way of Water” and a new third movie, titled “Fire and Ash.” He noted that this alteration led to some resistance from studio executives.
Studio Pushback and Counterarguments
During the negotiations, Cameron faced considerable pushback from the studio about extending the sequels. His compelling counterargument emphasized the financial potential, stating, “What part of you getting another chance to make $2 billion is in question here?” This assertion is backed by the fact that the original “Avatar” remains the highest-grossing film of all time, accumulating $2.9 billion globally without adjusting for inflation.
Success of The Way of Water
The continued success of the franchise is evidenced by “Avatar: The Way of Water,” released in 2022, which grossed an impressive $2.3 billion, making it the third highest-grossing film in cinematic history. This performance has heightened the anticipation and pressure for the upcoming “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” scheduled to premiere in theaters on December 19, 2023, with expectations of crossing the $2 billion mark.
Future of Avatar Sequels
Cameron has already filmed footage for “Avatar 4.” However, the completion of this sequel and the subsequent “Avatar 5” hinges on the financial performance of “Fire and Ash.” In a previous conversation with Collider, Cameron disclosed that he received no feedback on the script for “Avatar 4,” indicating growing confidence from the studio. He explained that while earlier scripts received multiple notes, the response for the fourth installment was overwhelmingly positive.
The studio executive’s enthusiastic email stated, “Holy f*,” signifying the high regard for the script that, according to Cameron, “goes nuts in a good way.” As anticipation builds, audiences eagerly await what new heights the “Avatar” series will achieve next.
