The Way of Water doesn’t show any sign of slowing down. It’s expected to cross the $2-billion mark this weekend and become one of five films to achieve that milestone. If Avatar: The Way of Water does breach that number, it will be James Cameron’s third film to gross over $2 billion, after 2009’s Avatar and 1997’s Titanic which sit at first and third positions respectively. Besides, if Avatar: The Way of Water continues on its current trajectory, it could overtake Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Avengers: Infinity Wars, which are third and fourth on the all-time list respectively, to set a new record as the third highest-grossing film of all time. The Force Awakens grossed $2.068 billion during its theatrical run in 2015, while Infinity Wars grossed a little under that with $2.048 billion during its 2018 run. With the resounding success of Avatar: The Way of Water, Cameron has stated he’s got no choice but to proceed with the other planned installments in the series, which are Avatar 3, Avatar 4, and Avatar 5. The director has also stated that there could be a sixth and seventh installment if things go according to plan. The next film, Avatar 3, has already been filmed and is currently in post-production. The filmmaker has also written the script for the three remaining installments and he claims that Avatar 4’s script elicited an expletive from one of Disney’s executives. Cameron recently revealed that each of the three future Avatar installments feature a different narrator. Lo’ak will replace his father, Jake Sully, who was the narrator for Avatar: The Way of Water, in Avatar 3. In other news, Fast & Furious actor Vin Diesel will not star in Avatar 3 or any of the forthcoming sequels, despite contrary reports. Avatar franchise producer, Jon Landau, revealed this during a recent interview with Empire magazine where he also discussed the franchise and what is next. Avatar 3, tentatively titled Avatar: The Seed Bearer, is slated for a December 20, 2024 debut. Meanwhile, the fourth and fifth installments are scheduled to premiere in cinemas on December 18, 2026, and December 22, 2028, respectively.
