James Wan Eyes Avatar 4 as Cameron Considers Stepping Back

With Avatar: Fire & Ash pulling in crowds and dominating the box office, the future of the franchise looks brighter than ever. Despite some early hesitation, a fourth entry in James Cameron’s sci-fi saga seems all but certain. The big question now is whether Cameron will keep his hands firmly on the wheel, or if he’ll let someone else have a crack at directing the next instalment.

After two decades of pushing the boundaries of cinema, Cameron’s commitment to the series is up in the air. If he decides to step back, James Wan—best known for steering the DCEU’s most successful film—has put his hand up for the job. In a recent chat, Wan didn’t hide his interest, saying:

I have not done Avatar. Yeah, if you could put a good one for me with James Cameron, I’d love to take a crack at that.

Given Wan’s track record with big-budget blockbusters, he could be a solid fit to take over one of the world’s most popular franchises. Still, it all depends on what Cameron wants to do with the story going forward.

Will Cameron Stay On for the Next Chapter?

Cameron has already mapped out the storylines for future sequels, but as Fire & Ash hit cinemas, he’s been open about possibly taking a step back from his usual hands-on approach. In a recent interview, he mentioned wanting to bring in more collaboration, freeing himself up to focus on other projects.

I’ve got other stories to tell, and I’ve got other stories to tell within Avatar. What won’t happen is, I won’t go down the rabbit hole of exclusively making only Avatar for multiple years. I’m going to figure out another way that involves more collaboration. I’m not saying I’m going to step away as a director, but I’m going to pull back from being as hands-on with every tiny aspect of the process.

This shift towards a more collaborative process could open the door for someone like Wan, who’s shown he can handle massive productions with plenty of moving parts.

Could Wan Be the Right Bloke for the Job?

The Avatar films are known for their scale and visual spectacle, but Wan’s work on Aquaman proved he’s no stranger to big, effects-heavy blockbusters. Against the odds, Aquaman became the DCEU’s top earner, even after earlier films left the franchise on shaky ground.

Wan’s background is mostly in horror, but his success with Aquaman shows he’s got a knack for crowd-pleasing, family-friendly fare. His style is different from Cameron’s, but he’s shown he can deliver when it counts.

What’s Next for the Franchise?

For now, any follow-up to Fire & Ash is still a way off. Cameron’s history suggests he might end up directing the fourth film himself, but with his openness to collaboration, there’s a real chance someone else could step in. Whether it’s Cameron, Wan, or another filmmaker, punters will be keen to see what’s next for the much-loved series.

What do you reckon about Wan possibly taking over from Cameron? Drop your thoughts below.

Avatar: Fire & Ash is currently showing in cinemas.

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