Overview
- Reports from multiple outlets, published Wednesday, said Disney is in talks to make James Cameron’s next Avatar films cheaper and shorter to cut studio risk.
- James Cameron has said no final go-or-no-go decision has been made on moving ahead with additional films.
- Production plans exist, with scripts for Avatar 4 and 5 reported complete and roughly 22% of Avatar 4 filmed years ago to capture scenes before a planned time jump.
- Disney is reconsidering an Avatar expansion at a California park, with reporting suggesting a Zootopia attraction is under review after that brand’s stronger recent box office.
- The rethink follows Avatar: Fire and Ash earning about $1.49 billion on a reported $350 million production budget plus heavy marketing, a step down from the first two films that has left the 2029 and 2031 sequel slots described as tentative.