Is Avatar 2 Already a Distant Memory?
Avatar 2, released in 2022, seems to have failed in leaving a lasting impression on audiences Its lack of impact could spell trouble for future installments in the Avatar franchise
Article Key Points
Despite being one of the highest-grossing movies of all time, Avatar 2 is already being forgotten by fans, which doesn't bode well for the planned series.
Despite having breathtaking visuals and an impressive cast, Avatar 2 does not seem to have made a lasting impression on audiences, which is crucial for the franchise's future. With plans for additional movies and potential tie-ins like television series, the forgetfulness surrounding Avatar 2 may cast doubt on the future of the series.
Avatar 2: The Way Of Water, released in 2022, already feels like it premiered decades ago, unlike the original Avatar movie from 2009 which is more memorable to fans. Various reasons have been suggested for this, such as the groundbreaking animation of the first film and the long gap between the two releases. Regardless of the cause, the lackluster response to Avatar 2 does not bode well for the planned series. If Avatar 2 is meant to be part of a larger franchise, that very franchise may now be at risk. While Avatar 2 has received positive reviews from both fans and critics worldwide, it is also quickly fading from people's memory.
Avatar 2 Made Money, But Hasn't Left An Impression
Avatar 2: The Way Of Water | |
|---|---|
Director | James Cameron |
Screenplay | James Cameron, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver |
Cast | Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Kate Winslet |
Release Dates | December 6, 2022 (Odeon Luxe Leicester Square), December 16, 2022 (United States) |
Runtime | 192 minutes |
Budget | $350–460 million |
Box Office | $2.32 billion |
Contrary to the misconception that Avatar 2 was quickly forgotten, it should be noted that this movie had tremendous financial success. In fact, Avatar 2 stands as one of the highest-grossing films of all time, securing the top spot for the year 2022. The film's box office earnings exceeded a staggering $2 billion (approximately $2.32 billion). However, it is worth mentioning that Avengers: Endgame and the original Avatar still surpass this figure in terms of box office revenue. While the general consensus among fans is that both of these movies, along with other top-grossing films like Titanic, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and The Lion King, may be more memorable than Avatar 2.
Surprisingly, despite being the third-highest-grossing movie of all time, Avatar 2 has not had a lasting impact on its audience. The film aimed to tell an equally epic story as the original, while exploring the world of Pandora and its Na'vi clans in more detail. Its visual beauty was on par with, if not better than, the original film, which had been released over a decade ago. With all the ingredients for success, Avatar 2 had the potential to be one of the most memorable films of 2022. The star-studded returning cast delivered phenomenal performances, and the newcomers made significant contributions to the film.
Interestingly, while the critics were not as impressed with Avatar 2 compared to the original, fans, according to Rotten Tomatoes, seemed to prefer the sequel. This contradiction only adds to the puzzle of why Avatar 2 failed to leave a lasting impact on the multitude of fans who eagerly watched it in theaters. One possible explanation could be that the film's release during the pandemic era, combined with the reception from Indigenous peoples across North America, as well as its lengthy 192-minute runtime, contributed to its failure to make a solid impression on fans. In addition to the extended runtime, it is not uncommon to find criticisms from fans about the weak storyline in Avatar 2.
Avatar 2's Impact Is Bad News For Future Avatars
Some may dismiss the idea that a highly successful movie like Avatar 2 could lack long-term impact. Yet, this is a grave concern considering the extensive franchise that is supposedly in the works. The Avatar series is already planned up until 2031, which means there will be at least three more Avatar movies in the coming years. And it doesn't end there - there are also other forms of Avatar media in development. As we all know, great success often leads to various tie-ins, including television shows. In an interview with Comicbook.com, James Cameron discussed the possibility of a television series in relation to the Avatar franchise:
"In the future, perhaps in around 10 years, it might be feasible to significantly shorten the production time for each shot by incorporating advanced technology like machine learning and artificial intelligence. Although achieving real-time production may be an unlikely scenario, it's possible that we could come close enough to enable a television series. However, this wouldn't be anytime soon, possibly taking at least five years, if not more like 10. But, if Avatar becomes a fully-fledged universe and people continue to desire it, then it's conceivable that a television show could eventually become a reality."
Given the amount of thought, planning, and investment put into the Avatar franchise, even a slight moment of doubt could have serious consequences. If Avatar 2 fails to capture the audience's attention, it may raise questions about the value of subsequent films, as well as any potential television or gaming adaptations. With Avatar 3 already completed and in the post-production phase, and the fourth and fifth films in progress, now is not the time for fans to lose faith in the series.
Ultimately, only time will reveal whether Avatar 2 will be forgotten by fans. If box office numbers for Avatar 3 show a significant decline, it would suggest that Avatar 2 is being overlooked. However, for now, the overwhelming positive reviews and the tremendous financial success of the movie indicate that fans are more than willing to support the Avatar series, despite the substantial commitment required to experience them.
Avatar 2: The Way Of Wateris available to stream on Disney+.
Avatar: The Way of Water
Editor's P/S
As an enthusiastic fan of the Avatar franchise, I must admit that I share the concerns expressed in the article regarding the fading impact of Avatar 2 on audiences. While the film undoubtedly achieved tremendous financial success, its failure to leave a lasting impression raises doubts about the future of the planned series. The original Avatar movie, released in 2009, still holds a special place in the hearts of fans due to its groundbreaking animation and immersive world-building. In contrast, Avatar 2, despite its stunning visuals and impressive cast, seems to have fallen short in creating a similarly lasting impact.
The reasons behind this disparity could be multifaceted. Some may argue that the long gap between the two movies contributed to the diminished excitement and anticipation surrounding Avatar 2. Additionally, the film's release during the pandemic era might have affected its ability to fully capture the attention of audiences. Furthermore, criticisms regarding the film's storyline and lengthy runtime may have also played a role in its failure to resonate deeply with fans.
