James Cameron has announced that his next venture after Avatar 3 will not be the much-discussed World War II drama, Ghosts of Hiroshima, despite recent buzz surrounding the project. The acclaimed director clarified that, with ten other commitments already lined up, the highly anticipated film is not part of his immediate plans, positioning James Cameron upcoming projects firmly at the forefront of industry conversations.
Reasons Behind Pausing Ghosts of Hiroshima
During a recent conversation on The Town with Matt Belloni, Cameron addressed rumors about Ghosts of Hiroshima, which intensified after news of the book’s release surfaced. He candidly explained the situation, emphasizing that his support for the author, Charles Pellegrino—a longtime advisor on Avatar: The Way of Water and Titanic—helped generate attention, but did not mean the film was imminent.
“That one just sort of hit the headlines briefly because of the book announcement and trying to push the book to a best seller because the author is a friend of mine. Doesn’t mean I’m not going to make the film, but I’ve written the script, and it’s not slated right now, and I don’t even have a distribution partner on it. So it’s pretty much a vaporware project right now.”
– James Cameron, Director
Earlier in the year, discussing film’s Andrew J. Salazar reported Cameron described Ghosts of Hiroshima as
“this might be the most challenging film”
of his career. The source material, released in August 2024, follows survivors from both the Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear bombings, with Charles Pellegrino providing the account. If produced, the narrative centers on Tsutomu Yamaguchi, a man who endured both atomic bombings—a story with potential for significant cinematic impact.
Commitments to the Avatar Franchise and Other Projects
Cameron’s upcoming schedule remains packed, dominated by the ongoing Avatar saga. Avatar 3 is confirmed for a December 19 theatrical debut, with Avatar 4 and Avatar 5 also slated for future releases. However, it remains uncertain whether he will personally direct each installment in the series. The director recently revealed that a pivotal scene in Avatar: Fire and Ash was initially intended for a different movie, indicating some flexibility in his creative approach.
The director also confronted the commercial stakes of the Avatar franchise, acknowledging that if Avatar: Fire and Ash underperforms, he is prepared to step back from the series—but may opt to write a book to finish the story instead. Recent endorsements for the franchise have come from notable figures like Disney’s Bob Iger, who reportedly called Avatar 3 “magnificent” and dismissed suggestions from other executives, according to Cameron.
Additional Potential Projects and Industry Speculation
Speculation continues regarding whether Cameron will revisit the Terminator franchise. While rumors circulate about a new Terminator script, skepticism remains about the necessity of another film, especially after the plot twists in the sixth installment—Terminator 6—which altered the franchise’s core narrative by undermining the arc of Sarah Connor and John Connor set up in Terminator 2: Judgement Day.
Future Outlook for Cameron’s Slate
As 2024 draws to a close, Cameron finds himself balancing a full slate of projects alongside public expectations, with the immediate priority being the release of Avatar: Fire and Ash. Though Ghosts of Hiroshima has been moved to the back burner and lacks a distribution deal, Cameron’s ongoing collaborations with industry figures such as Matt Belloni and Bob Iger underscore the director’s influence and the magnitude of James Cameron upcoming projects. The fate of Ghosts of Hiroshima—and its potential impact on audiences—remains uncertain until Cameron is ready to bring the story to theaters.
Tonight, I sat down with James Cameron for @DiscussingFilm to talk about Charles Pellegrino’s new book, GHOSTS OF HIROSHIMA, a true recollection of those who survived the atomic bombings in Japan 80 years ago. He will adapt this into a film after AVATAR 3.
Here is a snippet! pic.twitter.com/2CMDKij2J3
— Andrew J. Salazar (@AndrewJ626) August 4, 2025
