Director James Cameron revealed that Avatar 6 and 7 could definitely happen, just not with him in the director’s seat, which causes one big Avatar problem, but fixes a James Cameron issue. Though Cameron has long been a pillar in Hollywood, directing record-breaking movies such as Avatar and Titanic, the director really returned to the spotlight in 2022 when he released the Avatar sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water. After that, Cameron revealed his plan for every upcoming Avatar movie: Avatar 3 in 2025, Avatar 4 in 2029, and Avatar 5 in 2031. However, he didn’t stop there.

In an interview with People, Cameron confirmed Avatar 6 and Avatar 7. These films aren’t an official part of Cameron’s years-long, five-movie plan, but the director explained he had ideas for them. However, he also revealed that he would not be directing them. Cameron said, “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.” Overall, this is bittersweet news. On one hand, more Avatar is exciting. Yet, without Cameron, there’s a good chance Avatar will sour.

James Cameron Not Directing Avatar 6 & 7 Would Hurt The Franchise

Cameron Is The Core Of Avatar

While it’s good news that the Avatar franchise may continue past its 2031 end date, the movies could really suffer without James Cameron. Avatar and Avatar: Way of Water have been written, produced, and directed by James Cameron, and both have been massive hits. Plus, with three more Avatar movies on the way, it’s clear Cameron is steeped in the world of Pandora, and is passionate about it. Therefore, passing the franchise to someone else could put the magic at risk. Without Cameron’s filmmaking skills and creative mind, a new director could easily make Avatar feel different or worse.

Furthermore, Cameron already has a bad track record with handing franchises over to other people. After directing The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day, the sci-fi franchise was passed on to a handful of other directors, including Jonathan Mostow and McG. Both of the directors lacked Cameron’s success. While Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines was positively received, though considered worse than the first two, Terminator Salvation was widely disliked. In this way, after the Terminator movies, Cameron giving Avatar to another director feels like a bad omen.

James Cameron Could Finally Make A Non-Avatar Movie If He Doesn’t Direct Those Sequels

Cameron Has Already Spent A Lot Of Time On Avatar

There is one bright side to James Cameron leaving Avatar after the fifth movie. Cameron would finally have time to make another non-Avatar movie. Though Avatar is a major part of Cameron’s legacy, it has taken up quite a bit of his impressive career, and will continue to do so until 2031. If Cameron gets out after Avatar 5, then he will have a chance to take on a brand-new project. This will be exciting because, although Avatar is beloved, it is nice to see what else directors are capable of. He could make another Titanic equivalent, which would be great.

For now, though, Avatar’s future seems safe. If all goes to plan, the franchise will continue on for the next seven years. Then, if audiences are lucky, the series can grow even more from there. Whether James Cameron participates or not, it will be interesting to see where Jake Sully and his family go. No matter what, Avatar will always be a staple of Hollywood.

Avatar

Avatar is a sci-fi action/adventure film created by James Cameron and released in 2009. Set in the fictional world of Pandora in the distant future, humans seek a rare mineral found on the planet but find a race of highly-intelligent beings directly in their mining path. To attempt to communicate and work with them, scientists create body replicas called “avatars,” and one man will change the destiny of both races using an avatar of his own.

Release Date

December 18, 2009

Budget

$237 Million

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