Inside James Cameron’s non-negotiable rule for the ‘Avatar’ franchise

James Cameron has made it clear that he has no plans to step away from the Avatar franchise or allow another director to take over.

Speaking on The Town with Matthew Belloni podcast, the Oscar-winning filmmaker shut down any suggestion of handing the series to someone else.

“Absolutely not,” Cameron said. “There are levels of involvement. I could produce it, but there would never be a version of Avatar that I was not closely involved in.”

The director acknowledged the immense financial and creative demands of the franchise, explaining that its future will ultimately depend on whether the numbers continue to justify new instalments.

“It is a huge amount of money, which means it has to make significantly more to be considered a success,” he said. “The question is whether it makes enough to justify continuing.”

While Cameron remains deeply invested in the world of Pandora, he admitted that if Disney decides the franchise is no longer viable, he would accept that decision.

“I have no doubt the movie will make money,” he added. “The bigger question is whether it makes enough to make sense to keep going.”

Cameron also pointed to broader changes in audience behaviour, noting that the rise of streaming platforms and the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have shifted cinema habits.

“People tend to be more selective now,” he said, explaining that theatrical releases face greater challenges than in the past.

For now, Cameron’s position is clear: as long as Avatar continues, he intends to remain at the centre of its creative direction.

The next instalment in the franchise, Avatar: Fire and Ash, is currently scheduled to be released in cinemas on December 19, 2025.

Aasiya Nazir