Avatar: The Way of Water is now playing, and the response from fans and critics alike has been a positive one. More importantly, the sequel is on track to be a massive box office hit this weekend, likely ensuring James Cameron's ambitious future plans for the sci-fi franchise will come to fruition.
Whatever happens next, Avatar 3 has already been shot, as have parts of a fourth movie (which we may or may not see).
Now, a very interesting rumour is doing the rounds about the 2024 prequel suggesting Cameron's current cut clocks in at approximately nine hours! If this is even close to being accurate, that's downright bonkers, and the filmmaker has enough footage on his hands there for at least two, if not three, movies.
It goes without saying that the film won't actually end up being nine hours long, and it's always possible some of the footage will be used for the planned fourth instalment.
However, we can't help but wonder whether Disney and Cameron are considering splitting this third chapter into two, similar to what The Hunger Games and Harry Potter franchises did once upon a time. We're guessing decisions like that will be made after the final numbers are in for Avatar: The Way of Water, though.
The director hopes to make fourth and fifth instalments, while there's even been talk of a sixth. With that in mind, it feels like, after the thirteen-year gap between the first movie and this month's sequel, we'll be seeing an awful lot of Pandora in the coming years.
We recently attended Avatar: The Way of Water's global press conference, and Cameron told us all about his approach to the sequel's strong female leads. Find that by clicking here.
Avatar 3 is currently set to be released in theaters on December 20, 2024.