‘There’s a story to tell across three other sequels’

Earlier this year, Cameron expressed doubt into directing the fourth and fifth installment as he has other projects, he’s also interested in partaking in…reports Asian Lite News

Scepticism has always troubled artistes, including illustrious director James Cameron, who is awaiting the release of ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ which hits theatres next month.

The director will be paying close attention to the box office results of the film, reports Deadline. Cameron said that the performance of this movie will dictate the longevity of the film series.

“The market could be telling us we’re done in three months, or we might be semi-done, meaning: ‘OK, let’s complete the story within movie three, and not go on endlessly’, if it’s just not profitable,” he told Total Film in an interview.

According to Deadline, fans of the original ‘Avatar’ had to wait thirteen years for its sequel and Cameron said that a lot may have changed ever since. Although there’s a story to tell across three other sequels, if the franchise doesn’t spark interest everything could be truncated.

“We’re in a different world now than we were when I wrote this stuff, even,” Cameron added, quoted by Deadline. “It’s the one-two punch — the pandemic and streaming. Or, conversely, maybe we’ll remind people what going to the theatre is all about. This film definitely does that. The question is: how many people give a shit now?”

Earlier this year, Cameron expressed doubt into directing the fourth and fifth installment as he has other projects he’s also interested in partaking in.

“The ‘Avatar’ films themselves are kind of all-consuming,” Cameron told ‘Empire’ magazine. “I’ve got some other things I’m developing as well that are exciting. I think eventually over time — I don’t know if that’s after three or after four — I’ll want to pass the baton to a director that I trust to take over, so I can go do some other stuff that I’m also interested in. Or maybe not. I don’t know.”

Trailer gives a peek into new footage of Pandora

The new trailer for ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ has been released a few weeks ahead of the hotly anticipated sci-fi sequel’s December 16 release date.

The second installment in the franchise sees the return of Stephen Lang’s villain character Colonel Quaritch – who is seemingly revived through a Na’vi avatar form – once again at odds with Pandora native Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) and her mate Jake Sully (Sam Worthington).

Set over a decade after the original film, which took place in 2154, the newly released trailer shows glimpses of Jake and Neytiri cozying up as a family. Viewers are given a deeper look at the couple’s Na’vi children: Neteyam (Jamie Flatters), Lo’ak (Britain Dalton), Tuktirey (Trinity Bliss) and Kiri (Sigourney Weaver, returning to the franchise in a new role), reports ‘Variety’.

“The story is about family, about our families trying to stay together [and] the lengths to which we all go to protect each other and protect the place where we live,” Weaver told Variety at a screening for her film “The Good House.” “It’s very much based on (James Cameron’s) family and his joy in the family; and also, how vulnerable you are when you have children.”

Franchise newcomers include Kate Winslet, Michelle Yeoh, Cliff Curtis, Joel David Moore, Edie Falco and Jemaine Clement.

The trailer has no shortage of visually stunning ocean footage, which doubles to show off the impressive breath-holding skills of the film’s cast, who trained with specialists to be able to shoot extended takes of scenes underwater without coming to the surface for air.

In an interview earlier this year, Saldana revealed her personal record for holding her breath underwater was five minutes.

Just like 2009’s ‘Avatar’, Cameron is writing, producing, and editing ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’, in addition to directing. Jon Landau and Peter M. Tobyansen produce.

The story was co-written by Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Josh Friedman and Shane Salerno.

ALSO READ-‘Avatar: The Way Of Water’ teaser trailer released