Disney is reportedly discussing how to make the upcoming Avatar sequels “cheaper and shorter” so that the investment becomes “less risky.” Currently, 22% of Avatar 4 has already been shot, and the scripts for Avatar 4 and Avatar 5 have been completed.
According to The Wrap, Disney is taking a closer look at the future of the Avatar sequels after Avatar: Fire and Ash underperformed at the box office compared to previous films. The franchise’s huge budgets and long runtimes are said to be major concerns moving forward.
Even though Avatar: Fire and Ash made about $1.4–1.5 billion, it is being compared to Avatar (around $2.9 billion) and Avatar: The Way of Water (around $2.3 billion), which makes it seem less successful. However, the franchise has still earned about $6.7 billion in total, and as analyst Paul Dergarabedian said, these are “high-class problems,” where even huge earnings can seem disappointing.
According to producer Rae Sanchini (via ScreenRant), the completed scripts for Avatar 4 and Avatar 5 are “brilliant” and, as far as she is concerned, “we’re heading forward.”
Sanchini said, “We have the scripts; they’re brilliant. As far as I’m concerned, we’re heading forward.”
Sanchini added, “Right now, we’re figuring out the schedule. We’re working hard on it right now—budgeting, scheduling, planning, and building out our new pipeline for them. As far as we’re concerned, we’re full speed ahead.”
The Walt Disney Company is also reportedly reconsidering expansion plans for “Avatar”-themed attractions in California.
At the Saturn Awards, director James Cameron received major awards for Avatar: Fire and Ash. He was asked whether audience reactions to the film would affect the future of the series.
He said that no final decision has been made yet, but the franchise is likely to continue. He added that any future installments would take lessons from the first three films.
Avatar 4 will hit theaters on December 21, 2029, while Avatar 5 is scheduled for December 19, 2031.
