James Cameron has confirmed in a recent interview with Empire magazine that he is prepared and eager to direct the next two installments of the Avatar franchise, specifically Avatar 4 and Avatar 5. The third film, titled Avatar: Fire and Ash, is set to arrive in theaters later this year, marking another chapter in the ongoing series. Despite earlier uncertainty about continuing as director beyond the third movie, Cameron now intends to maintain his directorial role on these sequels.
Director’s Health and Energy Support Ongoing Role
Approaching his 71st birthday in August, Cameron addressed concerns about his capacity to carry on with such demanding projects.
“I mean, there’s no reason not to,”
he said, affirming his readiness to continue leading the franchise. He added,
“I’m healthy, I’m good to go. I’m not going to rule it out. I mean, I’ve got to make it in a vigorous way, to handle the kind of volume and energy of the work for another six or seven years. You know what I mean? I might not be able to do that… [but] if I can, I’ll just do it.”
Past Instances of Delegating Direction While Remaining Involved
Cameron has a history of stepping back from directing specific projects while remaining deeply involved in their production. A notable example is Alita: Battle Angel, which he handed over to Robert Rodriguez. Even though Rodriguez directed the film, Cameron worked closely throughout the process.
“He honored what I had written. We worked very collaboratively,”
Cameron remarked about Rodriguez’s involvement, highlighting a collaborative rather than hands-off approach.
Plans for Future Avatar Installments Beyond Sequels Four and Five
Presently, Cameron plans to personally direct Avatar 4 and Avatar 5, even as he develops other projects such as adaptations of the books Ghost of Hiroshima and The Devils. However, he has indicated that he does not intend to direct the final two films, Avatar 6 and Avatar 7.
“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,”
Cameron admitted. He acknowledged the limits imposed by age, saying,
“Mortality catches up. But I mean, we’re enjoying what we’re doing. We’re loving it. We get to work with great people.”
Defending His Continued Focus on the Avatar Franchise
Addressing criticism about his career being heavily tied to the Avatar series, Cameron referenced other iconic creators who repeatedly worked within their signature universes. He explained,
“People are always asking us, ‘So why did you just keep working in the same…’ Why did [George] Lucas keep working in the same thing? Why did [Gene] Roddenberry keep working in the same thing? Because when you connect with people, why would you squander that? Why would you start over with something else that might not connect?”
Release Schedule and Franchise Timeline
Avatar: Fire and Ash was initially scheduled for a 2024 release but has been pushed back to December 19, 2025, by Disney. Following this, Avatar 4 is slated for December 21, 2029, and Avatar 5 for December 19, 2031. According to this timeline, the franchise will have spanned over two decades since the original 2009 blockbuster by the time the fifth film debuts, underscoring the long-term scope of Cameron’s vision for his pioneering cinematic series.
