James Cameron’s Avatar holds the record for the highest-grossing film of all time with a whopping $2.92 billion in box office revenues. His other hit film, Titanic, is the third highest-grossing film of all time.
During his presentation to 20th Century Studios, Cameron told executives that the budget was so high that it represented "the worst business case in movie history." Cameron estimates that "you have to be the third or fourth highest-grossing film in history. That’s your threshold. That’s your break even."
Recent estimates peg the production cost of Avatar: The Way of the Water at around $350 to $400 million. If the upper estimate is true, then it would beat out Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides as the most expensive film of all time. The fourth Pirates of the Caribbean movie cost a whopping $379 million to make.
The Avatar movies have been revolutionary in the use of motion capture and visual effects technology. The movie reportedly used new cameras, algorithms, and technology to achieve stunning visuals. Avatar 2 also features an ensemble cast that includes Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Stephen Lang, Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, and Sigourney Weaver.
Avatar 2 has reportedly secured a release in China, which may help to bring in more box office revenues. Avatar: The Way of the Water is one of the few foreign-made films that will be released to the Chinese market this year.
China has a strict quota on foreign films allowed to be shown in the country. There are also stringent regulations on the content and themes of foreign movies shown in mainland China.
It will be interesting to see how Avatar: The Way of the Water performs in an industry that has been slowed down by Covid-19. However, the recent performance of Spider-Man: No Way Home ($1.9 billion) and Top Gun: Maverick ($1.4 billion) are a good indication that the movie industry is making a huge comeback.
Avatar: The Way of the Water will be opening in theaters and IMAX on December 16, 2022.
