Disney Wants “Cheaper and Shorter” ‘Avatar’ Sequels After ‘Fire and Ash’

Last month, “Avatar” producer Rae Sanchini told Inverse, “Right now we’re figuring out the schedule. We’re working hard on it right now, budgeting, scheduling, planning, building out our new pipeline for them. As far as we’re concerned, we’re full speed ahead.”

He was, of course, talking about “Avatar 4” and “Avatar 5,” which aren’t a done deal, despite the 2029 and 2031 dates set for these sequels.

A rather interesting report from The Wrap explored the behind-the-scenes efforts to make these sequels happen at Disney. Apparently, conversations are underway about how to make them “cheaper and shorter,” so the investment becomes “less risky” for Disney.

These discussions are occurring after the last installment, “Fire and Ash,” “underperformed” at the box office, grossing “only” $1.4 billion. After all, the original “Avatar” (2009) remains the highest-grossing film ever, earning over $2.9 billion worldwide, while its sequel, “Avatar: The Way of Water” (2022), ranks third on the all-time box office list with $2.3 billion.

Based on conversations The Wrap had with Disney, all seem to agree that the next “Avatar” movie, if it ever happens, would need to be shorter and cheaper. It certainly helps that Cameron already shot scenes for “Avatar 4” during production of “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” with one source saying around 22% of the fourth film has already been filmed.

One member of the “Avatar” team tells the outlet that Cameron is now a man on a mission — putting any other projects aside to make “Avatar 4.” In their own words, “If ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ had reached $2 billion, Cameron might have pursued another project before returning to Pandora. Instead, he’s now focused on completing installments four and five.”

“This time, I could see him being like, I’m on a mission,” the source said. “I believe unequivocally that he will finish his five-film saga. Never bet against James Cameron.”

Why all this micromanaging from Disney? These “Avatar” movies don’t come cheap, costing $400M+ each. Yet there is no doubt about the frustration. A member of the “Avatar” team speaking with The Wrap calls it “bulls–t that the movie made $1.5 billion and people are acting like it’s ‘Ishtar.’ There’s not a guarantee that they’re all going to make $2 billion. The trilogy has made $6.7 billion, which averages more than $2 billion per film.”