James Cameron is wholly dedicated to directing Avatar 4 and 5 despite saying previously that someone else might lead the films.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Cameron said he'd direct the films unless he was "hit by a bus" and "in an iron lung." The third film, Avatar: Fire and Ash, is set for December 19, 2025 but the famed director is already looking beyond even that.
"Sure. Absolutely. I mean, they’re going to have to stop me," Cameron said when asked if he planned to personally direct Avatar 4 and 5. "I got plenty of energy, love doing what I’m doing. Why would I not? And they’re written, by the way.
"I just reread both of them about a month ago. They’re cracking stories. They’ve got to get made. Look, if I get hit by a bus and I’m in an iron lung, somebody else is going to do it." Cameron said in 2022 that he wanted to "pass the baton" to another director eventually, but didn't know if that would be after the third or fourth films. It now appears to be after five, at least.
He already has Avatar 6 and 7 planned too, but he said in March 2024 that he probably won't direct these ones because "mortality catches up." Cameron, who turns 70 years old later in August, may change his mind in a couple of years, of course.
In our 8/10 review of the last film, IGN said: "Avatar: The Way of Water is a clear improvement on its predecessor and, though its story isn’t breaking new ground, its jaw-dropping visuals make this an irresistible return to Pandora."
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.
source https://www.ign.com/articles/james-cameron-will-direct-avatar-4-and-5-unless-hes-hit-by-a-bus