James Cameron’s Future With Avatar in Doubt as Box Office Worries Mount

Anticipation for the third instalment of the Avatar saga, Fire and Ash, has been overshadowed by concerns about its financial prospects. Early projections for the film’s takings aren’t exactly setting the world alight, and there’s growing chatter that James Cameron might call it quits after this one. Fans have been quick to share their worries online, with some painting a pretty grim picture for the series’ future.

Uncertainty Over Cameron’s Involvement

One punter on X summed up the mood, suggesting that Cameron could step aside after the third film, leaving Disney to steer the ship. The expectation is that a new director would take over, and the studio might push ahead with more sequels, even if the magic wears thin by the time a third new film rolls around. As one user quipped, quoting Hans Gruber, it’s all “regular as clockwork.”

Cameron himself hasn’t exactly poured cold water on these rumours. He’s made it clear that his continued involvement hinges on the success of Fire and Ash. If the numbers don’t stack up, he’s not shy about walking away. In a recent chat on The Town Podcast, the bloke behind Titanic didn’t mince words about the cost of making these blockbusters:

It is a metric f*ckton of money, which means we need to make two metric f*cktons of money to make a profit.

He went on to say:

I have no doubt in my mind that this film will make money. The question is, does it make enough money to justify doing it again? Yeah [I’d walk away], absolutely. Sure.

Can Avatar Survive Without Its Creator?

The big question is whether the franchise can keep its momentum if Cameron steps back. He’s floated the idea of bringing in other directors to finish the story while he shifts to a producer role, but there’s a fair bit of scepticism about whether that’ll work. Cameron’s style is pretty distinctive—he’s got a knack for weaving together unique stories and visuals that set his films apart.

Handing the reins to someone else could mean a shift in tone, focus, and even the look and feel of the films. The risk is that what makes Avatar special might get lost in translation. While nothing’s set in stone about Cameron’s departure, it’s hard to ignore the sense that the franchise could take a hit if he moves on.

Key Details and Release Info

For those keeping score, Fire and Ash is directed by James Cameron and stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, and Sigourney Weaver. It’s set to hit cinemas on 19 December 2025 in the US. Early ratings have landed at 7.6 out of 10 on IMDb, with a 69% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Whether those numbers will be enough to keep Cameron interested remains to be seen.

What do you reckon—will Cameron stick around, or is it time for someone else to take the wheel? Let us know what you think below.

Avatar: Fire and Ash is due for release on 19 December 2025 (USA).