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James Cameron Is Right: The Avatar Sequels Are A Massive Risk
The undeniably monstrous event of Avatar was truly a time to behold, but James Cameron is right to acknowledge that its four sequels are a huge risk to release more than a decade later. The groundbreaking filmmaker is well aware of his own massive success as well as his potential for failure with the upcoming, long-overdue follow-up, Avatar: The Way of the Water, plus parts 3, 4, and 5, as he expressed in a recent interview.
A major blockbuster sequel like Avatar: The Way of the Water shows how a franchise can be resurrected, even after an extended period of time. James Cameron has been hard at work for over a decade since 2009’s Avatar began its record-breaking $2.8 billion box office haul. His landmark first Avatar sequel has gone through numerous release changes in a lengthy production schedule, and now audiences might be wary of the movie's actuality and quality as its December 16, 2022, opening approaches.
The prestige of a large franchise like Avatar appeals greatly to Disney as a distributor. However, for Avatar fans, there is a reasonable amount of doubt regarding The Way of Water given expectations. Feeling the pressure himself, James Cameron admitted in an interview (via Empire) that his commitment to making four Avatar sequels was “the dumbest business case in history.” He was correct to acknowledge that it’s a risk committing to so many Avatar movies, especially after the long gap between the original and the sequels, which are set for release through 2028, considering it's uncertain if audiences will respond positively to Avatar: The Way of Water.
Why James Cameron's Avatar Sequels Gamble Will Pay Off
After The Way of the Water, Avatar 3, 4, and 5 will arrive at the end of 2024, 2026, and 2028, respectively, and each of these sequels is a serious gamble at the box office. James Cameron explained that fans “can’t remember the characters’ names… then they see the movie again.” His honest feelings on Avatar’s financial prospects came with a bit of relief, though, as he professed, “I’m not worried about that.” Certainly, Cameron has a lot to prove at the box office, but he has come prepared. This time around, his sequel utilizes the newest underwater motion capture technology, a higher frame rate, and Cameron’s most nascent CGI to illustrate Avatar 2's beautiful visual effects.
Over the next six years, James Cameron will take on the mighty task of delivering four worthy follow-ups to his growing Avatar franchise. Because of his tenured experience in the film market — not to mention his solid track record — avoiding the perils of failure are easier to tackle on his second go with the Na’vi. James Cameron was right to think that the Avatar sequels are highly risky, but there are more than enough reasons for audiences to return to Pandora again and again.
