James Cameron Says He Has Ideas for ‘Avatar’ 6 & 7

The filmmaker has been talking again about the future for his ambitious, extensive sci-fi franchise, which already has three more entries in the works.

Director James Cameron for 'Avatar: The Way of Water.'

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James Cameron has talked about the future of ‘Avatar’.
He is working on the third now and has ideas for sixth and seventh entries.
The third movie is due in theaters in 2025.

James Cameron is still going full speed ahead on his ‘Avatar’ franchise. The sci-fi films, whose first two entries sit on the list of the first and third highest-grossing movies of all time, have sequels planned for years to come, with the third currently being shepherded through post-production.

And now, talking to People magazine at the Saturn Awards, Cameron has talked up the even further potential future of the movies.

Avatar: The Way of Water

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James Cameron talks future ‘Avatar’ movies.

James Cameron, Academy Award nominee for Best Picture, Achievement in Directing and Best Adapted Screenplay for ÒAvatar," arrives with his wife Suzy Amis at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA, on Sunday, March 7, 2010. Credit: Richard Harbaugh / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright ©A.M.P.A.S.

Cameron is clearly committed to making more movies, but even he has his limits.

This is what he told the magazine about future entries…

“We’re fully written through movie five, and I've got ideas for six and seven, although I'll probably be handing the baton on at that point. I mean, mortality catches up. But I mean, we’re enjoying what we're doing. We’re loving it. We get to work with great people.”

Given that Cameron will be 76 by the time the fifth movie hits theaters, not to mention the long production process each entry requires, he’d likely be into his 80s by the time a sixth or seventh movie arrived.

Which is not to say he won’t somehow find a way to download his consciousness into a robotic body (though that might get a little too close to ‘Terminator’ for comfort) and keep going.

Still, Cameron has shown willingness to hand over projects in the past –– he was developing ‘Alita: Battle Angel’ for years but had Robert Rodriguez direct it as he was focusing on ‘Avatar’s sequels. So we’re sure he’s already started the process of looking for an heir to the ‘Avatar’ empire.

James Cameron on why he keeps making ‘Avatar’ movies

Cameron was his typically candid self when addressing the issue of fan concerns that he’s effectively dedicated the rest of his life to one franchise (even if the movies themselves do end up being wildly successful). He referenced other famous movie and TV series as his explanation.

Here’s what he said:

“People are always asking us, ‘So why did you just keep working in the same…’ Why did Lucas keep working in the same thing? Why did Roddenberry keep working in the same thing? Because when you connect with people, why would you squander that? Why would you start over with something else that might not connect?”

When will the next ‘Avatar’ movies be in theaters?

‘Avatar 3’ is set to be released on December 19th, 2025. The fourth is scheduled for December 21st, 2029, and ‘Avatar 5’ on December 19th, 2031.

James Cameron (left) and Ivan Reitman (right) during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Oscar¨ Nominees Luncheon Beverly Hills, California, Monday, February 2, 2009. Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2009 will be presented on Sunday, March 7, 2010. Credit: Richard Harbaugh / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright ©A.M.P.A.S.