The Fate of Earth in Avatar 2
Discover the fate of Earth before the events of Avatar 2, as James Cameron transports audiences back to the mesmerizing world of Pandora, leaving us pondering the mysteries and consequences that plagued our home planet
After returning to Pandora in Avatar 2, James Cameron's envisioned alien paradise, the question remains: What led to the state of Earth in The Way of Water? Avatar's 2009 release caused P.A.D.S (Post-Avatar Depression Syndrome) to affect thousands who longed to experience the magic of Pandora beyond the big screen.
Cameron’s distant world still captivates and intrigues, even after 13 years. Now, with the release of Avatar: The Way of Water, the allure of Pandora has returned, leaving us to wonder what has become of Earth in the film’s universe.
What happened to Earth before Avatar 2?
The details of the franchise can be found in various games, novels, and articles, but ultimately, the setting of Avatar 2 depicts Earth as a mere shadow of its former self. The planet has been devastated by deforestation, conflicts, overpopulation, famine, climate change, and other destructive forces.
In the original Avatar film, Jake asks Eywa for help in fighting against the "sky people" after Hometree is destroyed, pleading for the assistance of Grace, who can show Eywa the world they come from. He laments the lack of greenery and the destruction of their mother, revealing the reasons for the destruction of their planet in the 22nd century, as depicted in Avatar: Pandora Rising.
In 2030, the situation on Earth turned grim resembling the scenario of Soylent Green. Instead of traditional food sources like crops, the RDA turned to algae as the main source of sustenance for the 20 billion inhabitants of the planet. Over the following decade, the east coast of the US was devastated by a tsunami and sea levels rose globally.
Limited information is available about the 22nd century war, but it is known that Jake Sully was left paralyzed while serving as a Marine. The war led to an energy crisis, with global superpowers turning their focus to space in search of a new home or potentially another target for destruction. Although the initial plan for the first Avatar film included scenes on Earth, director James Cameron decided to remove them due to pacing concerns. Producer John Landau has revealed that the upcoming Avatar 5 will center around Neytiri's journey to Earth.
That being said, Earth is not yet lifeless. In Avatar 2, Quaritch is resurrected through recombination after his death, with his memories and DNA sent back to Earth to be transferred into his Avatar. General Frances Ardmore (Edie Falco), the new RDA commander, informs him that her mission is to "make Pandora the new home for humanity."
You can purchase Avatar: The Way of Water on 4K UHD here, and it is also available for streaming on Disney Plus, which you can sign up for here. Check out our other coverage below.
Explore our coverage of Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, including reviews, cast and characters, ending explanations, the best way to watch, budget details, and more. Plus, delve into the world of Na'vi and the characters Tulkun and Amrita, while also learning about the development of the film and the top 50 highest-grossing movies of all time. And stay tuned for Avatar 3!
Learn how to boost your energy and improve your health, master fast travel, interact with your Ikran, check the system requirements for Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, find out about crossplay and cross-progression, explore multiplayer and co-op options, discover whether the game is canon, play as a human character, and find out if it will be available on PS4 and Xbox One. If you click on a product link on this page, we may earn a small affiliate commission.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I am deeply concerned about the fate of Earth as depicted in Avatar 2. The film portrays a grim future where our planet has been ravaged by deforestation, conflicts, overpopulation, famine, climate change, and other destructive forces. This scenario is not too far-fetched from the current state of our world, and it serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for us to take action to protect our planet.
The film's depiction of Earth as a mere shadow of its former self is both heartbreaking and thought-provoking. It highlights the consequences of our actions and the importance of preserving our natural resources and ecosystems. The film's message is clear: we must learn from our mistakes and work together to create a sustainable future for our planet.
