- James Cameron, director of “Avatar”, says that the sequel to the film was “very expensive” to make.
- GQ spoke to him that it must be the “third- or fourth highest-grossing movie in history” in order to break even.
- With $2.9 billion in worldwide sales, “Avatar” was the first movie to break into the top 10.
When it opens in theaters next month, “Avatar The Way of Water,” the eagerly awaited sequel to 2009’s “Avatar,” will have a lot riding for it.
The film’s predecessor in 2009 is the highest-grossing movie ever made, grossing $2.9 billion worldwide.
Director James Cameron says that “The Way of Water”, if it wants its money back, must follow in the footsteps of the first film.
Cameron GQInterview published Monday, “The Way of Water”, stating that the film was “very fucking” costly to make and that it is the “worst business case” in movie history.
Cameron stated that the film had to be the third- or fourth highest-grossing movie in history. That’s your threshold. This is your break even point.
According to IMDb Pro the production cost of the first “Avatar”, $237 million, and it took millions to bring to market. Theaters usually take at least half the movie’s US box-office earnings. (This amount will vary depending on which market you’re in).
The top four most-grossing movies of all time are “Avatar”, Avengers: Endgame, Cameron’s “Titanic,” Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and “Avengers: Endgame.”
If “The Way of Water,” must land at least No. It would need to land in at least the No. 4 spot. That would require it to surpass “The Force awakens'” global total of $2.069billion. Cameron would then have directed four films that have earned the most worldwide grossing films.
