Closeup of Kiri (Sigourney Weaver) in Avatar: Fire & Ash
Celebrated director James Cameron further comments on the state of the modern theater industry. The Oscar-winning writer-director is known for his sci-fi, adventure, and historical epics of massive scale, including The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Aliens, The Abyss, Titanic, Avatar, and Avatar: The Way of Water.
And many of his films were huge theatrical events in their time, with 2009's Avatar standing as the highest-grossing movie of all time. However, things have been different at the box office in recent years, largely because of the aftereffects of the pandemic, with movies of genuine quality struggling to make a profit, something Cameron feels strongly about. In an interview with ScreenRant's Ash Crossan for Avatar: Fire and Ash, Cameron elaborated on his current feelings about the modern box office and what this means for his work."I do ," he says. With the third Avatar movie slated to release theatrically on December 19, he admits that he's"agnostic" on what turnout it will see. I mean, the theatrical industry is very depressed right now. We're coming off of a terrible year. Although Zootopia is a nice little bump at the end of the year, it's been a bad year and it's been a bad last few years since COVID and since streaming took a massive chomp out of the butt of the theatrical business. And maybe this film still works, maybe it doesn't. I'm agnostic on that right now. But hopefully people will show up because the theatrical experience is the only way that you can have that waking dream time. Wicked: For Good also just released theatrically and broke 2024's Wicked's records, while 2025 saw some underdog box office success stories like Sinners and Weapons. But the turnout just isn't the same as it was 10 years ago. Cameron, while stressing the theatrical experience, talks about how people tend to select only a few special movies to see in cinemas these days. "And people, they want the immediacy, they want the access of streaming," says Cameron,"and they save the theatrical experience for a few films that they want to completely submerge into." In terms of time and budget, it makes sense that this is what most movie watchers would do, though it is hurting the theatrical industry. Check out Cameron's additional comments: Because the second you have a remote in your hand and you composite, you just broke the spell. And people, they want the immediacy, they want the access of streaming. Some people realize that they're breaking the spell and they save the theatrical experience for a few films that they want to completely submerge into. That's how I do it. I'm not going to go see everything in a movie theater. I'll make my decisions. Hopefully Avatar is still enough of a blue chip that people know they're going to go on a journey. Cameron also recently decried Netflix's theatrical model, saying that if the streamer wants its films to be considered for awards, it should be required to show them in more theaters for a longer time than its typical two-week limited release. Avatar: Fire and Ash is said to be the end of a saga, but additional Avatar sequels are planned. However, they may hinge on Fire and Ash's box office. James Cameron seems to acknowledge that streaming has permanently changed entertainment, but is still calling for some kind of change, suggesting that the industry needs to adjust if it wants to keep the theatrical experience alive. Avatar: Fire and Ash may help prove, along with a select few other recent releases, that there is still something to seeing movies on the big screen. Follow Followed James Cameron Birthdate August 16, 1954 Birthplace Kapuskasing, Ontario, Canada Notable Projects Avatar, Titanic, The Terminal Height 6 feet 2 inches Professions Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Editor, Explorer
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
James Cameron’s ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’: First ReactionsThe third installment in the multi-billion dollar 'Avatar' film series opens in theaters on Dec. 19.
Read more »
Avatar 3 Star on if Franchise Will Continue after James Cameron CommentsAvatar 3 star Sam Worthington comments on whether he thinks a fourth Avatar movie will ultimately end up happening.
Read more »
James Cameron Reveals Avatar: Fire and Ash Concludes Original SagaNeytiri (Zoe Saldaña shooting a bow and arrow while flying in Avatar: Fire and Ash
Read more »
James Cameron’s Next Movie May Not Be Avatar 4 but a Sci-Fi RebootJames Cameron hints at revisiting a legendary sci-fi franchise as he maps out projects beyond Avatar: Fire and Ash’s release.
Read more »
James Cameron Says ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Closes the First ‘Avatar’ SagaFilms four and five, if they even happen, would tell a whole other saga.
Read more »
Avatar 3’s James Cameron Weighs in on AI in Films After Guillermo Del ToroJames Cameron has spoken on the use of AI in movies, revealing whether he used the technology while making Avatar 3: Fire and Ash.
Read more »