James Cameron Suggests ‘Avatar’s Future Movies Will Have To Make Cuts To Continue

James Cameron has likely done enough to keep his Avatar franchise going, with plans still in place to release Avatar 5 in 2029 and another film in 2030. However, since Avatar: Fire and Ash isn’t performing as well as previous movies at the box office, it’s unclear how Cameron will satisfy Disney executives and continue the series without exceeding the budget.

In an interview with Taiwan’s TVBS News, Cameron discussed upcoming Avatar films, confirming Michelle Yeoh will be back and addressing questions about the movies’ high production costs.

Michelle Yeoh is likely to return for a fourth Avatar film, but it depends on how well the current movie performs. The film industry is facing challenges right now, and Avatar 3 was very expensive to make. To ensure future installments, we need this movie to succeed and find ways to produce Avatar films at a lower cost.

We’re planning to combine stories four and five, similar to how we combined two and three into one larger narrative. Michelle will be involved in stories four and five, playing a Na’vi character named Paktu’eylat using performance capture technology.

Could ‘Avatar’ Cost-Cutting Lead James Cameron to Back AI?


Hulu /Courtesy Everett Collection

There’s been some confusion about James Cameron’s views on the increasing use of artificial intelligence in Hollywood. Last year, he told ComicBook magazine:

I’m not against generative AI, but we’ve chosen not to use it in the Avatar films because we value and respect actors – we want to work with them, not replace them. I believe Hollywood will ultimately regulate itself regarding AI’s use. My biggest concern isn’t necessarily the creative applications of AI, but rather the broader, fundamental threat that large-scale AI poses to artists and their ability to work.

James Cameron is renowned not only for his storytelling but also for being a tech innovator, constantly seeking out the latest tools to bring his cinematic visions to life. While he’s not likely to use AI to replace actors or practical effects, his recent appointment to the board of StabilityAI, an AI company, sparked interest. Cameron explained he’s always been drawn to cutting-edge technology to enhance storytelling, and believes generative AI combined with CGI represents the future of filmmaking.

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If a major Hollywood director started using artificial intelligence in their films, many believe it could significantly change the industry. As AI-generated content blurs the lines between what’s real and fake online, the next few years will be crucial in determining how AI impacts filmmaking and entertainment.

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2026-01-17 22:24