James Cameron is determined to reveal the future of the ‘Avatar’ franchise, regardless of whether audiences return to Pandora on the big screen or not. The latest installment, Avatar: Fire and Ash, has just hit theaters, and while the fourth and fifth films are scheduled for release in 2029 and 2031 respectively, Cameron remains somewhat elusive about the certainty of their production.
However, it's important to note that scripts for these sequels already exist. These scripts have been read by the cast, who have expressed enthusiasm, and some scenes have even been filmed. Should circumstances prevent the creation of these sequels, the director has committed to sharing the storylines with fans. "Here’s what it is," Cameron stated during an interview with Entertainment Weekly. "If we don’t get to make 4 and 5, for whatever reason, I’ll hold a press conference and I’ll tell you what we were gonna do. How’s that?"
While this statement might seem humorous, it reflects Cameron's serious dedication to his work. On the flip side, Disney might have reservations about him disclosing such valuable intellectual property without compensation. It's not as simple as it sounds, unlike the premise of The Midnight Club. Previously, Cameron had considered narrating these future stories in book form if the films didn’t materialize, which would provide the opportunity to delve into more intricate details. However, he pointed out the challenges of this approach, stating, "There’s no business model for [books] anymore. People aren’t reading."
In reality, concerns about the future of these sequels may be unfounded. Avatar: Fire and Ash has performed impressively at the box office, raking in approximately $153 million domestically and around $544 million worldwide within just over a week of its release. Although these figures are slightly below those of the previous film, Avatar: The Way of Water, projections indicate that it should comfortably surpass the $1 billion mark, greatly increasing the likelihood that the fourth and fifth films will be greenlit.
Moreover, since the scripts are already written, the most challenging aspect—crafting the narrative—has already been accomplished. The next steps hinge on Disney's willingness to invest close to $1 billion in the production and marketing of these two films, alongside securing Cameron's commitment to set aside other projects he is working on.
We expect to learn more early next year about whether Cameron and Disney will proceed with the production of Avatar 4 and 5. And at least now, there’s clarity: if these films do not come to fruition, Cameron has promised to share the plot details in some format—whether that’s through a press conference, a book, or perhaps even during one of his oceanic explorations. After all, we are talking about James Cameron; with him, anything is indeed possible.
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