Aquaman’s James Wan Eyes Avatar Franchise If Cameron Steps Aside
James Wan, known for Aquaman and top horror films, has shared his interest in directing an Avatar movie if James Cameron ever leaves the franchise, sparking curiosity about the future of Pandora.
James Wan, the filmmaker behind Aquaman and several acclaimed horror movies, has expressed a strong desire to direct a film in the Avatar universe. In a recent conversation with Screen Rant, Wan admitted he’d jump at the chance to work on the blockbuster sci-fi series if James Cameron ever decides to step away after the upcoming Avatar: Fire and Ash.
“I have not done Avatar,” Wan said.
“Yeah, if you could put a good one for me with James Cameron, I'd love to take a crack at that.”
His enthusiasm for the world of Pandora was clear, but the future of the franchise remains closely tied to Cameron’s vision.
James Cameron’s Reluctance to Let Go
While Cameron has hinted at the possibility of stepping back from directing future installments, he’s made it clear he would never fully detach from the series. When asked by Matt Belloni if he’d ever hand the reins to another director, Cameron responded,
“Absolutely not,”
emphasizing he would always remain involved as a producer.
“I don't think there'd ever be a version where there's another Avatar movie that I didn't produce closely. But in terms of it taking over my life, you know, that's a threshold issue for me.”
Cameron also acknowledged that his continued involvement depends on the franchise’s financial success. He said,
“Absolutely. I've been in Avatar land for 20 years. Actually, 30 years, because I wrote it in '95, right, but I wasn't working continuously on it for those first 10 years. There was a brief flurry of interest in '95, and then everybody said, 'You're out of your mind,' and I shelved it for 10 years, and then we got serious in 2005. Yeah, absolutely. Sure, if this is where it ends, cool.”
Avatar’s Box Office Power
Despite Cameron’s musings about moving on, the franchise shows no signs of slowing down. Avatar: Fire and Ash recently soared past the $1 billion mark at the box office, proving its enduring popularity and financial strength. With such impressive numbers, the likelihood of the series ending anytime soon seems slim.
Looking ahead, Avatar 4 is already scheduled for release on December 21, 2029, keeping fans eager for more adventures on Pandora. For now, Cameron remains at the helm, but Wan’s interest adds an intriguing twist to the future possibilities for the beloved sci-fi saga.