James Cameron might be making his way back to Pandora for Avatar 4 soon. In a recent media interview, franchise executive producer Rae Sanchini disclosed that the production of Avatar 4 could commence sooner than expected. Sanchini emphasizes the necessity to begin work on both the fourth and fifth films “pretty soon” due to the extensive preparation involved.
Sanchini’s Avatar 4 update, arriving just before the film’s 4K UHD and Blu-ray release on May 19, raises the question of whether Cameron might begin work on his long-awaited adaptation of Fantastic Voyage this year.
According to Rae Sanchini, “It might be possible. [Fantastic Voyage has] been in development for quite a while, and while we can’t share any details just yet, we are making progress and are in the initial phases. This has been a dream project for us for a considerable time. Additionally, the Avatar films require a lengthy preparation period, so we need to begin work on those fairly soon too. Jim also has several other concepts he’s constantly exploring. Absolutely. Many original ideas are in the mix.”
Sanchini’s remark comes after an encouraging update from Cameron at the Saturn Awards in early March.
According to James Cameron, “To be absolutely clear, we haven’t made a decision to proceed yet. However, if I do decide to move forward – which I would say is probable, though not guaranteed – we will certainly take into account the lessons learned from all three films.”
It’s important to highlight that Disney has recently unveiled a revised release calendar, confirming that Avatar 4 and Avatar 5 are still slated for 2029 and 2031, respectively. Historically, the Avatar films have undergone extensive pre-production, production, and post-production phases, which raises some concerns about the feasibility of meeting these scheduled dates.
Avatar – Fire and Ash might not have matched the phenomenal success of The Way of Water, yet it still proved to be a significant triumph for Disney.
Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the company is eager to conclude the saga. The third installment achieved a remarkable gross of $1.485 billion globally, which includes $404 million from the domestic market and $1.081 billion from international audiences.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the third installment experienced a slight decline in critical reception, currently holding a mediocre score of 66%. Reviews for Avatar – Fire and Ash highlighted the film’s breathtaking visuals and outstanding action scenes; however, it did encounter some criticism for resembling The Way of Water too closely.
In terms of audience reception, the third installment of the Sully family saga boasts an impressive 90%. This rating comes on the heels of The Way of Water, which achieved a 92% audience score alongside a 76% critics’ score.
Numerous inquiries persist regarding the plot of Avatar 4, yet a substantial segment of the film’s initial act has already been shot, and it is anticipated to include a notable time leap. While Cameron has not officially announced his return to Pandora, Sanchini’s remark implies that it could merely be a question of time.