Avatar 3 Has 1,000 More VFX Shots Than Avengers: Endgame

James Cameron shared that Avatar 3 will have an exceptionally large number of visual effects shots – even more than many other big-budget Hollywood films like Avengers: Endgame.

Avatar 3’s shocking number of VFX shots revealed

James Cameron recently shared some details about the massive visual effects effort for Avatar 3. He says creating this new sequel is even more technically challenging than any of his previous movies.

In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, director James Cameron discussed his early experiences with computer-generated imagery. He explained that he first used CGI on a small scale in the film The Abyss, then expanded its use in Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Cameron initially aimed to keep the number of visual effects shots limited, but the final count reached 42. He described the process as incredibly difficult, stating that completing those 42 shots took a full year and pushed the team to their limits.

In contrast, the third Avatar movie is expected to have around 3,500 computer-generated (CG) shots. Director James Cameron explained that they’ve created everything using CG – not just the characters and animals, but also the entire environment, including every plant and tree.

Dan DeLeeuw, the visual effects supervisor for Avengers: Endgame, has talked about the huge amount of digital work involved in the film – it contained roughly 2,500 visual effects shots. The project was particularly challenging because it needed complex changes to characters, entirely computer-generated environments, and the creation of characters like Smart Hulk and Thanos. (Source: The Hollywood Reporter)

Zack Snyder also revealed in 2020 that his version of Justice League featured around 2,800 visual effects shots. He praised his visual effects team, calling the film a “visual effects extravaganza” and a “labor of love” for everyone involved, acknowledging their hard work and dedication.

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2025-11-20 17:06