Three years on from Avatar: The Way of Water, Avatar: Fire and Ash – the third film in the blockbuster sci-fi franchise – has hit cinemas this weekend.
Whether it will make it over $2 billion like its two predecessors is yet to be determined, but writer-director James Cameron is certainly looking at a strong opening weekend in the region of $340-380 million.
Although not officially green-lit, Avatar 4 and 5 have release dates set for 2029 and 2031.
In case they don’t happen (which we highly doubt, given the box office opening of the new film), Fire and Ash acts as a trilogy conclusion of sorts.
In fact, Cameron has said he will write a book to resolve the “one open thread” left open if Avatar 4 doesn’t happen.
He could be talking about Quaritch throwing himself to a death that wasn’t confirmed on-screen, suggesting he will return in the untitled Avatar 4, which Cameron has already shot some footage for. It’s also expected that there will be a significant time jump again, with the fourth film serving as a sort of soft reboot.
Cameron hasn’t decided yet if he will direct the next two films, as he is also set to helm his Hiroshima epic. Nevertheless, he’s also talking up Avatar 6 and 7.
Avatar 4 is set for release on December 21, 2029 and Avatar 5 on December 19, 2031.
