Avatar: The Way of Water(2022).Photo: 20th Century Studios
James Cameronis continuing to make records internationally withAvatar: The Way of Water.
The sci-fi flick just surpassed the director’s other mega-hit,Titanic, becomingthe third-highest-grossing film in history internationallyat the box office, according toVariety.
Already bringing in $1.538 million overseas, the blockbuster sequel to 2009’sAvataris catching up to its original installment, which holds the number one title at $2.1 billion.Avengers: Endgametrails in second at $1.9 in ticket sales, the outlet noted, making Cameron the creator of three out four of the biggest international releases to date.
Overall,The Way of Water— starringZoe SaldañaandSam Worthington— has brought in $2.174 billion worldwide, with $636 million at the domestic box office. That makes it No. 10 in the United States.Avataris at $2.92 billion globally,Avengers: Endgameat $2.7 billion andTitanicclocked in at $2.19 billion.
Gareth Cattermole/Getty
The sequel — which is nominated for Best Picture at the 2023 Oscars — also starsSigourney Weaver,TitanicstarKate Winsletand Stephen Lang.
Avatar: The Way of Waterdepicts Jake (Worthington, 46) and Neytiri’s (Saldaña, 44) family and “the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure,” according to an official synopsis.
Courtesy of 20th Century Studios
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In April 2021,James Cameronappeared virtually onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where he spoke about the pressure of directing the highly anticipated follow-up films to the epic 2009 sci-fi blockbuster and top-grossing movie of all time.
“I cry. I just sit here at my desk and cry all day long because there’s no way,” the 68-year-old joked. “It’sjust too much pressure, dude.”
A third installment ofAvataris on its way in Dec. 2024, with a fourth and fifth to follow, according to Cameron.
“For example, Lo’ak really emerged as a character that people went with,” Cameron said, as he discussed how he will use audience feedback fromAvatar: The Way of Waterto “tinker a little bit” with the series' third movie.
“So I might find ways to sort of — now, he’s already the [narrator.] Oh, I’m giving something away here,” Cameron said, as he realized he had given away an important detail forAvatar 3. “But this is okay, I think it could be intriguing for people to think about what’s coming. Jake was our voice-over narrator for movie one and for movie two, and we have a different narrator for each of the subsequent films.”
“We see it through the eyes of a different character and movie three is through Lo’ak’s eyes,” the director added.
Avatar: The Way of Water(2022).20th Century Studios
Cameron’s recent reveal makes for one of the few details known about the upcomingAvatar 3, expected to release in theaters on Dec. 30, 2024.
On Jan. 4, the director told France’s20 Minutesthat the franchise’s next moviewill feature “different cultures from those I have already shown,” according to Total Film.
He continued, “In the early films, there are very negative human examples and very positive Na’vi examples. InAvatar 3, we will do the opposite.”
“We will also explore new worlds while continuing the story of the main characters,” Cameron revealed. “I can say that the last parts will be the best. The others were an introduction, a way to set the table before serving the meal.”
Avatar: The Way of Wateris in theaters now.
source: people.com