Avatar 3: What we know about release, cast, and story of Avatar 4 and 5

The Way of Water: AvatarThe movie has finally come to fruition, exactly 13 years after the predecessor. The movie is expected to become a huge hit. Avatar 3, 4And 5 plans announced a decade ago, it’s hard not to immediately look ahead at what’s next for the world of Pandora and the larger Avatar universe.

James Cameron, Director of the Cameron Institute has gone on a press tour. Avatar 2A lot of discussion has focused on three possible sequels to Avatar. Cameron hasn’t been shy about where those movies or at and basic details, which means we know more about what the next decade has in store for Avatar than we might with a typical franchise.

Based on the way these huge franchises work normally, one thing may be surprising fans is Cameron’s approach to writing them. After the success of the original movie, when plans for so many sequels were first made, Cameron put together a writers’ room similar to the ones assembled for a season of television. Rick Jaffa, Amanda SilverDawn of the Planet of the ApesJosh FriedmanWar of the WorldsShane Salerno (Hawaii Five-0Cameron and he worked together to create the story, which was then divided up into individual scripts for each film. This kind of proactive approach also shows up in how Cameron went about filming the movies; large parts of the next three movies have already been filmed with actors Sam Worthington, Stephen Lange, Zoe SaldañaAnd the new child actors.

But with all those exciting behind-the-scenes details revealed, it still doesn’t give us the full picture of what we know about the next three Avatar movies. So here’s a breakdown on Avatar 3, 4, and 5, pieced together from Cameron’s comments and our conversations with the The Way of Water: Avatar crew.

[Ed. note: This story contains spoilers for Avatar: The Way of Water, and also potentially for future Avatar movies.]

Image courtesy of 20th Century Studios

What date will Avatar 3 release?

Avatar 3 It will be released on December 20, 2024. The original plan of publishing one Avatar film every two years was to allow the franchise to grow (though it wasn’t 13 years) and leave Disney room for new Star Wars films. Since those plans were made, however, Star Wars’ theatrical future has become a little murkier, but Disney still shouldn’t have too much trouble finding something to replace Rogue Squadron if it’s not ready in time.

Is there a title for the next Avatar film?

The supposed titles of the Avatar sequels were leaked by the BBC in 2018, based on “documentation,” and while Cameron didn’t confirm any of the titles, he did say that they were among those being considered, including The Way of Water for the second movie. The leaked title of Avatar 2 is below. Avatar 3It is The Seed Bearer. This doesn’t necessarily mean this is exactly what this movie will be called, but considering that Cameron and his co-writers have already worked ahead on a few movies now, he likely has a great idea of what he’d like it titled.

What’s it about?

Cameron has not yet alluded directly to any other things. Avatar 3The movie will focus on the Sully children and their family. Perhaps the easiest guess is that this movie will continue Jake’s campaign against the Quartich and the skypeople, and follow Kiri more closely after her superpowered third-act in Water is the Way.

Cameron’s collaborators have told Polygon to expect even more underwater action. Deborah L. Scott is the costume designer. Behind-the-scenes photos showing Kate Winslet wearing a large white cape while swimming are taken by her. Avatar 3, while director of photography Russell Carpenter’s tells us that “there was more underwater work done for the other movie.” So if you thought The Way of Water: AvatarWas it wet? Wait until Avatar 3.

What is the distance between Avatar 3 and Avatar 2?

Avatar 3Cameron, Jon Landau and Carpenter claim that the film has been shot in its entirety. The second installment was also shot simultaneously.

Image: 20th Century Studios

Okay, when is Avatar 4 due to be out?

Last time Disney updated their release calendar: Avatar 4 was set for Dec. 18, 2026, sticking to the “one Avatar every two years” schedule.

What is the name of Avatar 4?

This is the leaked title Avatar 4It is Avatar of The Tulkun Rider — though again this has not been confirmed as the title. Given that we already see someone ride (sort of) a Tulkun in this movie, it’s a little unclear what this title might be referring to, so we’ll probably have to wait for more details on that front. But we’re imagining DuneIn the Avatarverse

Is it still a ways off?

This is a little less clear than with the third movie, but we do know that it’s written, according to Cameron, and that the cast and crew have shot part of the movie, but definitely not the whole thing. Landau explained to Polygon that there were logistical reasons behind the partial shoot. An obvious guess: it’s possible the young actors involved with Water is the WayNeeded to photograph a part of Avatar 4 Before, as you all know, it was growing up. Cameron says that Avatar 4’s script page 35 will show the story moving forward. This will allow the children to age up.

Cameron has provided the following information about the plot. Avatar 4 was the first to provoke the studio’s response. He didn’t get notes, exactly…

“When I turned in the script for 4,” he told Collider, “creative executive over the films, wrote me an email that said, ‘Holy f—.’ And I said, ‘Well, where are the notes?’ And she said, ‘Those are the notes.’ Because it kind of goes nuts in a good way.”

Image by 20th Century Studios

Is Avatar 5 due to be out?

Based on the two-year cycle and Disney’s current calendar, Avatar 5In theaters Dec. 22, 2028. But Landau tells Polygon that a fifth film isn’t necessarily a done deal — the fate of that proposed film may depend on how Water is the WayDoes at the box-office.

What is the name of Avatar 5?

Avatar: Eywa’s Quest is the rumored title for this one, but as with the others, we don’t have a lot of solid confirmation.

What’s it about?

Surprisingly, this is one of the most interesting topics we are aware of. Avatar 4. According to Cameron’s most recent comments, he thinks Avatar 5The action will be brought to Earth. In the director’s words, Neytiri will see that not all humans are bad, but the audience will also see that not all Na’vi are good — which softly implies an Avatar alien-invasion movie. This sounds incredible.

What is the current status of Avatar 5

This is, based on our knowledge, the most advanced and probably not yet written. With that in mind, little to none of it seems to have been filmed, based on Cameron’s vague comments.