Additional Coverage:
- James Cameron says he has a plan if Avatar: Fire and Ash doesn’t make enough money (the-independent.com)
James Cameron Prepares for Potential “Avatar” Finale with “Fire and Ash” Release
Director James Cameron, known for his groundbreaking “Avatar” franchise, is reportedly preparing for a potential conclusion to the series if the upcoming third installment, “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” doesn’t meet box office expectations.
Cameron recently discussed his contingency plan on Matt Belloni’s “The Town” podcast, acknowledging the immense financial investment in these films and the need for significant returns to justify further sequels. While the exact budget for “Fire and Ash” remains undisclosed, Cameron stated, “I have no doubt in my mind that this movie will make money.
The question is, does it make enough money to justify doing it again?” He added, “If this is where it ends, cool.”
Despite this pragmatic outlook, Cameron noted that “Fire and Ash” does leave one plot thread unresolved. Should the film mark the end of the cinematic saga, he plans to address this lingering storyline in a book.
The director also firmly dismissed the idea of anyone else taking the helm of the “Avatar” franchise. “I don’t think there’d ever be a version where there’s another Avatar movie that I didn’t produce closely,” he asserted.
The “Avatar” franchise boasts an impressive track record, with the original 2009 film remaining the highest-grossing movie of all time, earning close to $3 billion. Its 2022 sequel, “Avatar: The Way of Water,” also performed exceptionally well, grossing $2.3 billion globally.
Previous “Avatar” films introduced audiences to the peaceful Omaticaya and Metkayina Na’vi clans, who typically only retaliate when their land is threatened. However, Cameron has indicated a shift in tone for “Fire and Ash,” revealing that the film will explore a more aggressive side of the Na’vi through the introduction of the “Ash people.” Earlier this year, he told France’s 20 Minutes, “I want to show the Na’vi from another angle because, so far, I have only shown their good sides.”
During an April special screening, Cameron hinted at intense challenges for the main characters, with Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) reportedly telling Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), “We cannot live like this – we cannot live with this hate.”
Cameron also expressed his hope that “Fire and Ash” would bolster cinema attendance, stating his desire for the film to “provide a shot in the arm for theatre owners, as we’re still struggling after the one-two punch of the pandemic and streaming.”
Currently, two additional “Avatar” films are slated for release in December 2029 and December 2031, following “Fire and Ash.”
“Avatar: Fire and Ash” is scheduled to hit theaters on December 19.
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- James Cameron says he has a plan if Avatar: Fire and Ash doesn’t make enough money (the-independent.com)