Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, the Oscar-winning filmmaker said he would publicly reveal the full story plans for “Avatar 4” and “Avatar 5” if the series were to end after the third film, “Avatar: Fire and Ash.” Cameron explained that if the studio decides not to move forward, he doesn’t want those ideas to disappear forever.
“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,” Cameron said. “How’s that?”
The Franchise’s Future Depends on Box Office Results
Cameron has been open about the fact that each Avatar sequel has to prove itself financially before the next one gets the green light. The director admitted that nothing is guaranteed beyond the current movie.
“I don’t know if the saga goes beyond this point. I hope it does,” he said. “But every time we go out, we have to prove that business case.”
That pressure comes at a time when theatrical releases are still recovering. Cameron acknowledged that it’s been a tough year for cinemas, though he noted recent successes like Wicked: For Good and Zootopia 2 as signs that audiences are slowly returning.
“Fire and Ash” Is Off to a Strong Start
So far, it looks like Cameron may not need that backup plan. Avatar: Fire and Ash has already crossed $500 million worldwide in its first week, with strong momentum heading into the new year. The first two Avatar films each earned more than $2 billion globally, setting an incredibly high bar.
If the current film continues performing well, it strengthens the chances that the story will continue on screen instead of ending on paper.
What Happens If the Movies Don’t Get Made?
If Avatar 4 and Avatar 5 never move forward, Cameron said he would consider turning the scripts into novels. He explained that the world of Avatar is already deeply developed, with rich culture, history, and character details that fans have yet to see.
“There’s so much culture and backstory and lateral detail in these characters,” he said. “I’d love to do something that’s at that level of granular detail.”
Earth May Play a Role in “Avatar 5”
Some story details have already surfaced. The franchise’s late producer, Jon Landau, previously revealed in 2022 that Avatar 5 would bring the Na’vi to Earth. According to Landau, the goal was to show Earth through the eyes of characters like Neytiri and challenge how humans see their own world.
Will Cameron Direct the Final Films?
Another open question is whether Cameron himself will direct the next two movies. In the past, he suggested the workload might be too demanding and that he could “pass the baton” to another director starting with Avatar 4.
More recently, however, Cameron sounded less certain about stepping away.
“I’m healthy, I’m good to go,” he said. “There’s no reason not to. If I can do it, I’ll just do it.”
For now, the fate of Avatar 4 and Avatar 5 depends on how well Fire and Ash continues to perform. If audiences keep showing up, Cameron’s epic sci-fi saga may be far from over.
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