In a recent interview with People magazine, acclaimed filmmaker James Cameron revealed his plans for the future of the 'Avatar' franchise. Not only is he currently in post-production on 'Avatar 3,' but he also has ideas locked in for 'Avatar 6' and 'Avatar 7,' expanding the record-breaking franchise well beyond the anticipated release of 'Avatar 5' in 2031.
Cameron expressed his enthusiasm for the ongoing creative process, stating, 'We're fully written through movie five, and I've got ideas for six and seven, although I'll probably be handing the baton on at that point. I mean, mortality catches up. But I mean, we're enjoying what we're doing. We're loving it. We get to work with great people.'
Despite concerns that Cameron's career is becoming too focused on the 'Avatar' franchise, he believes in capitalizing on the connection he has established with the audience, comparing it to the creative choices made by George Lucas with 'Star Wars' and Gene Roddenberry with 'Star Trek.' Why start over with something new when there is an established connection that resonates with people?
One of the main stars of the franchise, Zoe Saldaña, who portrays Neytiri, also shared her enthusiasm for the upcoming sequels. Saldaña teased that the next films, including 'Avatar 3,' 'Avatar 4,' and 'Avatar 5,' will only intensify the mind-blowing nature of the franchise. Cameron's vision has truly left an indelible mark on the cast and crew, making it their own legacy project.
Cameron has carefully planned out the timeline of the next few movies, with 'Avatar 4' featuring a significant time jump for the characters. To ensure age continuity, he shot 'Avatar 3' and portions of 'Avatar 4' concurrently with the recently released 'Avatar: The Way of Water.' The release of 'Avatar 3' has been rescheduled for December 19, 2025. This will be followed by 'Avatar 4' on December 21, 2029, and culminate in the final installment, 'Avatar 5,' on December 19, 2031. It is interesting to note that the last 'Avatar' movie will premiere 22 years after the groundbreaking original film hit theaters in 2009.
Franchise producer Jon Landau has also shed some light on what fans can expect from the upcoming films. He revealed that 'Avatar 3' will introduce the Ash People, a volcanic race of Na'vi led by Varang, portrayed by Oona Chaplin. Landau described the conflict between humans and Na'vi, noting that both sides have good and bad individuals, emphasizing the complexity of their evolution.
Furthermore, Landau divulged that 'Avatar 5' will bring the franchise to Earth for the first time, opening the characters' and the audience's eyes to what exists on our own planet.
The future of the 'Avatar' franchise appears to be promising, with Cameron's creative vision driving the narrative forward. With captivating storylines, groundbreaking visuals, and a committed cast, it's no wonder that fans are eagerly awaiting the next chapter of this iconic franchise.
As Zoe Saldaña humorously posted on her Instagram, 'Great! I'm gonna be 53 when the last 'Avatar' comes out. I was 27 when I shot the very first 'Avatar.'' It's a testament to the enduring impact and longevity of this celebrated franchise.
