As the current industry goes, critically acclaimed director James Cameron is being realistic as he says Avatar 3 might be the conclusion. Right now, it’s really the yardstick for a follow up movie. Why else would movie production companies shell out an investment for a sequel if the previous didn’t sell right? For the Avatar franchise, the following movies would be the same. However, Cameron states if the sequel to Avatar fail to meet its targets in the box office, he may finish the story within Avatar 3. The sequel to Avatar, which is Avatar: The Way of Water, comes to theaters, even IMAX theaters, this December.
The industry is expecting so much from the upcoming sequel. Some studios even opted to shift their own project premieres because the wave of Avatar 2 is a pretty threatening tsunami. However, as the director points out in an article from Deadline, certain factors may affect how the audience would react to the movie. Thus, in Cameron’s expectations, audience might have a different reception to his work. Which will eventually affect the box office take of the film. If they don’t churn out the projected digits, then Avatar 3 or any succeeding movies under the IP will be affected. For one, it will spell if Avatar 3 will be the final chapter of the franchise or it will open opportunity for 4 and 5.
James Cameron Says Avatar 3 Will Be Conclusion If 2 Fails
Image: 20th Century
Indeed, the sequel has such huge shoes to fill. Specifically, James Cameron’s 2009 Avatar is a masterpiece. It won 3 out of its 9 nominations just in the Academy Awards alone. In its time, Avatar logged a total of 89 wins from tens of award-giving bodies from all over the world. Among its awards are Best Achievement in Cinematography, Best Achievement in Visual Effects, Best Achievement in Art Direction over many nominations of Best Film and Best Directing.
On the other hand, the movie equally pleased the audiences everywhere in the world. Critics and audience rated the movie a more than decent 82% in the TomatoMeter. Where everywhere else are remakes and sequels, James Cameron introduced this new world to the audiences. His legacy remains as one of the most environmentally eye-opening piece of his time.
Truly, Avatar demonstrated its strength in quality as critics and audiences enjoyed watching and re-watching the movie. Evidently, the box office numbers support this claim and the numbers do not lie. With a production budget of $237M, Avatar flew in @2.9B in the the Worldwide Box Office. Which is 12.3 times its budget. Definitely, Cameron’s Pandora paid for itself. And through the years it even added to its returns via video and home release.
Avatar wasn’t even done surprising Disney as it boasted healthy ticket sales this year. Disney re-released the movies to theaters and in the first weekend alone, it generated $30M in the Worldwide Box Office. Not bad! Especially for a 13-year-old movie that people can watch via streaming or home video.
James Cameron Says Avatar 3 Will Be Conclusion If 2 Fails
Image: 20th Century
Perhaps, these are the achievements of Avatar that Cameron thinks Avatar: The Way of Water cannot top. But let the audience judge. No matter how the sequel performs, it’s already down in history. Undeniably, James Cameron’s work drove the industry to better and higher quality of delivery. Still, it wouldn’t hurt Cameron and the rest of the crew, if the sequel would meet the expectations head on, right?
Avatar: The Way of Water rides the waves to the theaters on December 16, 2022. The movie stars Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver and Sam Worthington return as Neytiri, Kiri and Jake Sully, respectively. Coming for the sequel are Kate Winslet as Ronal and Michelle Yeoh as Dr. Karina Mogue and many others. Company credits go to 20th Century Studios, TSG Entertainment, Lightstorm Entertainment, Forum Hungary and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
