James Cameron on Why We Won’t Get Avatar Spin-offs on Disney+

James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water recently became the third highest-grossing movie of all time. With Avatar thriving in theaters, Cameron isn’t currently interested in creating spin-offs for Disney+.

While speaking with The Los Angeles Times, the director described his feelings towards the cinemagoing experience, which he describes as a “sacred” deal we make with ourselves.

“I don’t think it’s ever going to go away, ’cause it’s something specific,” Cameron said of going to a theater. “The deal we make to go and immerse ourselves without distraction, it’s like doing yoga or taking a walk in the forest for a couple of hours. There’s something about it I still think is sacred.”

Additionally, the filmmaker explained that the financial side of it just doesn’t make sense at this time, as Avatar is especially costly to create. He finished by saying that things may be more manageable in five years.

“Right now, the economics don’t make sense to spin off any of our CG main characters onto TV,” Cameron stated. “But the cost of these things will progressively come down as we introduce machine deep learning into the processes and make them more automated. Ask me again in five years.”

Avatar: The Way of Water was directed and co-written by James Cameron. It features the return of Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Joel David Moore, Dileep Rao, Stephen Lang, Matt Gerald, and Sigourney Weaver. Additional cast members include Kate Winslet, Edie Falco, Michelle Yeoh, Jemaine Clement, and Oona Chaplin, alongside a slate of young actors.

Three additional films are planned, with Avatar 3 tentatively scheduled for December 20, 2024, Avatar 4 set for December 18, 2026, and Avatar 5 on December 22, 2028.