Why James Cameron Should Keep Making More ‘Avatar’ Movies

As Avatar: Fire and Ash continues to dominate the global box office after just recently hitting 1 billion dollars and still counting, James Cameron’s trilogy-franchise is currently the most successful trilogy of all time. So why not make the 4th and 5th movies at this rate?

One of the online talking points has been whether Avatar has had a cultural impact or not. It’s a discussion that continues to recycle upon the release of every instalment of the franchise thus far. There was even one Reddit-style comment that found its way to James Cameron in an interview, remarking on how he wasted his talent and time making Avatar movies for the 35 or so years when he could have been making something else. His sharp response was, “I’m feeling fulfilled as an artist, and when [those critical fans] become filmmakers, they can make those types of decisions for themselves – or just stay the fuck out of it.”

Cameron is absolutely right; it’s a lot easier to judge an artist as a viewer when you have no inclination towards making art yourself. The passion and obsession for creating what you want is lost on everyone but the creator themselves. That’s why the very concept of ageing well over time, revised opinions and proving doubters wrong all exist. It’s easy to be skeptical when you’re not the one making the movies.

And yet, for all the supposed negativity or dismissal of James Cameron’s filmmaking choices over the course of his career, his latest film once again has people all over the world seated to watch on the big screen, especially at a time when theatrical exhibition is on its dying legs and streaming has become the greatest threat possible (looking at you Netflix). It just goes to show that the naysayers can’t deny the undeniable. The masses clearly enjoy hanging out in Cameron’s Pandora world just like he does. So why should he stop making them?

It is true that these films clearly took a lot of time to craft and get to the point where we are now. Cameron’s original concept art for Avatar was back in 1978 and 50 or so years later he is still going at it. But isn’t that the dream? To spend your entire life pursuing worlds and stories that you want to create. To follow your imagination and let your ideas run wild as you age and learn more about the universe. The world that we live in now is entirely different to the one in the 70s. Though some things haven’t changed like America’s empire threatening to throw the rest of the world off balance. A theme all too consistent in Cameron’s Avatar movies that explore the consequences of colonialism and constant warmongering.

As the theatrical run continues with the 2 billion dollar mark still a decent possibility, it is fair to say that like Cameron, we also want to dream big and travel to the depths of his imagination that he allows himself to share. There’s a sincerity and romanticism that defines his relationship with art and how he chooses to reconcile his perception of the world to channel into a simple, universal truth about humanity. That for as much as we hate, fear and attack, ultimately, we crave love and hope to bring us together. Connection is the foundation of all great art, and Avatar is no different.

Hopefully, Cameron is aware of this and continues to tell stories in the way he wants to. In this day and age where original studio movies are constantly fading away in favor of IP remakes and sequels, it is always refreshing when blockbuster filmmakers defy the odds and truly bring people all over the world together to celebrate their art. We saw it with Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, and Avatar is no different.

Do the right thing, James Cameron, and surrender yourself to the art that you so clearly love, and what we as audiences will keep showing up for. Because in the end, sincerity is infectious. We all want to dream, and anyone who chases the feeling and continues to dream further so the rest can escape and follow is an admirable part of our film society. If the previous 3 films are anything to go by for the studios, they will make a lot of money, so it’s a no-brainer. Avatars 4 and 5 are not confirmed yet, but we are prepared for them and can wait once again to see an artist bring his art to life.

Avatar: Fire and Ash is directed by James Cameron and is now playing in theatres worldwide.