James Wan Open to Directing 'Avatar 4' If James Cameron Steps Aside

James Cameron and Disney have not yet confirmed whether 'Avatar 4' will move forward.

The filmmaker also has not made a final decision about who would direct a potential fourth instalment, especially as he has previously shared plans to focus on other projects beyond the 'Avatar' franchise. That uncertainty has opened the door for other filmmakers to express interest.

James Wan's Interests in 'Avatar 4' 

James Wan has now made it clear he would be excited to step in if Cameron chooses to reduce his involvement. Wan has said he has never worked on an 'Avatar' film before, but the idea of collaborating with Cameron and taking on a project of that scale strongly appeals to him.

Image Courtesy: IMDb

James Wan is widely known for his success in the horror genre, directing major franchises such as 'The Conjuring,' 'Saw,' and 'Insidious.' He also proved his blockbuster credentials with 'Aquaman' in 2018, which earned more than $1.15 billion worldwide. In addition to directing, he is an accomplished producer with credits that include the hit film 'M3GAN.'

Also Read: https://indigomusic.com/pop-cultures/whats-up-pop-news/kristen-stewart-wants-to-direct-a-big-budget-twilight-remake-10975691

James Cameron's Plans For Handling 'Avatar' Projects

James Cameron has previously explained that if 'Avatar 4' were to happen, he would likely remain the director but continue to delegate more responsibilities to second-unit directors. He began shifting some of those duties during production on 'Fire and Ash,' allowing trusted collaborators to handle specific elements while he focused on shaping the overall vision and final edit.

When it comes to the future of the franchise, Cameron has been upfront that everything depends on the box office performance of 'Avatar: Fire and Ash.' He has acknowledged that the film could mark the end of the series if audiences no longer show up, or it could reinforce the idea that theatrical experiences are still thriving for large-scale event films.

Image Courtesy: IMDb

So far, 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' has eased any doubts. Despite receiving more mixed reviews than the first two films, it surpassed $1 billion worldwide after just 18 days in theatres. In North America alone, it has earned $303 million, including a stronger-than-expected $40 million weekend.

While 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' reached the billion-dollar milestone slightly later than 'The Way of Water,' which did so in 14 days, its performance still places it firmly among Cameron's long-running box office successes. With the first 'Avatar' earning $2.9 billion and the sequel reaching $2.3 billion, it seems unlikely Disney would walk away from a franchise that continues to cross the $1 billion mark with ease.

Also Read: https://indigomusic.com/pop-cultures/whats-up-pop-news/jack-black-admits-regret-over-turning-down-major-movie-role-10975613