James Wan Eyes Avatar Franchise After Cameron Steps Back

The director behind Aquaman and horror classics like The Conjuring has set his sights on Pandora. James Wan recently told Screen Rant he'd jump at the chance to direct an Avatar film if James Cameron decides to step away from his franchise after Avatar: Fire and Ash.

"I have not done Avatar," Wan explained. "Yeah, if you could put a good one for me with James Cameron, I'd love to take a crack at that."

Cameron's Succession Plans

Cameron has dropped hints about his future with the franchise, though he remains protective of his creation. When asked about handing control to another filmmaker, his response was definitive: "Absolutely not." The director made clear he'd stay involved as a producer on any future Avatar projects.

"I don't think there'd ever be a version where there's another Avatar movie that I didn't produce closely," Cameron said. "But in terms of it taking over my life, you know, that's a threshold issue for me."

Three Decades in Development

Cameron's commitment to Avatar spans an impressive timeline. He's spent two decades actively developing the world of Pandora, with roots stretching back even further.

"I've been in Avatar land for 20 years. Actually, 30 years, because I wrote it in '95," Cameron revealed. The project faced early skepticism before gaining serious momentum in 2005. "There was a brief flurry of interest in '95, and then everybody said, 'You're out of your mind,' and I shelved it for 10 years."

Box Office Success Continues

Financial performance could determine the franchise's future direction. Cameron admitted he'd consider stepping back if Fire and Ash underperformed. "Absolutely," he said when asked about ending the series based on box office results. "If this is where it ends, cool."

Those concerns seem unfounded. Avatar: Fire and Ash recently crossed the $1 bn threshold, securing the franchise's commercial viability. Avatar 4 is scheduled for December 21, 2029.