Cameron’s New Goal: Faster and for Less
The three-time Oscar winner recently gave an update on the next two Avatar movies, which are set to follow last year’s “Avatar: Fire and Ash.” According to Cameron, he is working on a plan to create these sequels “in half the time for two thirds of the cost” compared to the earlier entries: “Avatar” (2009) and “Avatar: The Way of Water” (2022). Considering the length and expense of previous productions, this is no small challenge.
On The Empire Film Podcast, Cameron discussed what life might look like after the new movies are completed:
“After that, I’m like Roadrunner going off a cliff,” he said. “I’ll be doing some writing, I’ve got a number of projects I’m cooking. And Avatar 4 and 5 are still floating out there.”
He went on to explain:
“We’re gonna be looking at some new technologies to try and do them more efficiently, because they’re hideously expensive and take a long time. I want to do them in half the time for two thirds of the cost, that’s my metric. And so, it’s going to take us a year or so to figure out how to do that. And in the meantime, I’ll be writing and probably be doing a couple of other things.”
The Uncertain Path Forward for Pandora
While Cameron’s cost-cutting ambitions are generating buzz, he has also been transparent about the uncertainty facing the franchise’s future. The creator of the $987 million franchise noted:
“I’ll hold a press conference” if he decides not to continue the Avatar movies, adding, “I don’t know if the saga goes beyond this point. I hope it does. But, you know, we prove that business case every time we go out.”
He also suggested expanding the story into other formats:
Despite there being “no business model for it anymore,” Cameron said he wants to novelize the films, noting “it might be good to have the canonical record of what it was all supposed to be.”
Though some scenes for “Avatar 4” have been filmed, Cameron has kept expectations measured. As he told Deadline’s “Behind the Lens”:
“I always say ‘if,’ but will it be profitable enough, and only we will know that.”
Fans Weigh In: Legendary Status or Fatigue?
It’s not just Cameron facing scrutiny—dedicated fans have plenty to say about his latest plans. One reflected:
“I miss the days when we could look forward to a new James Cameron movie every few years. True Lies remains one of my best cinema experiences with an audience ever. Pure joy.”
Others wonder if it’s time to move on:
“Hey Jim – it might be time to let this one go. No sense in dedicating so much more time for an epic that shows signs of fizzle. Take the wins you’ve got and redirect that time and effort to do something new, cool, and spectacular that brings crowds back into the theater.”
Still, some argue the franchise hasn’t lost its spark:
“I suppose if you solely judge Avatar #3 against the other films in the trio you could say it’s fizzling. But, given that #3 still managed to become the 16th highest grossing film of all time, I think it’s disingenuous to say the film wasn’t ‘bringing crowds back into the theatre.’”
Epic Finish or Perpetual Tweaking?
Whether you admire Cameron’s determination or worry about endless delays, his tendency to challenge industry norms is clear. One fan put it this way:
“While it’s classic James Cameron to try and disrupt the status quo by aiming for ‘two-thirds of the cost and half the time,’ I’d honestly rather he just focus on crossing the finish line with Avatar 4 and 5 instead of pausing a year for technological R&D. Even with a slight cool-off for Fire and Ash, these final two installments are an absolute lock for at least $1.4 billion each on global brand power alone. We don’t need him getting distracted by new side projects or over-optimizing the pipeline; we just want the definitive conclusion to the saga.”
And let’s face it—most fans won’t want to miss what Cameron does next:
“But I mean, what am I going to do if Avatar 4 and 5 get made, skip them? No way. I’ll see them both opening weekend, and over-pay to see them in 3D Imax, just like the first three.”
