Why Avatar's Franchise Lacks a Vital Element Found in Its Box Office Competitors
Discover the crucial missing ingredient in Avatar's franchise that sets it apart from its blockbuster rivals.
The Avatar movie franchise has achieved significant commercial success, but it still lacks something that its competitors already have. Despite the success of the movies, there are only two installments currently, even though the first film was released in 2009. The innovative filmmaking techniques used in the franchise take time to develop and execute.
There was a 13-year gap between the first two films, but each upcoming Avatar movie now has a confirmed release date within a shorter period. James Cameron's epic sci-fi saga was a hit right from the start, and the cast of Avatar 2 also contributed to its success at the box office. While the movies have been successful, some of the franchise's rivals have utilized a storytelling device that Avatar has yet to explore.
The Avatar Franchise Still Doesn't Have A Spinoff TV Show
Avatar hasn't matched the storytelling framework of some of its biggest rivals
Sam Worthington as Jake Sully and Zoe Saldaña as Neytiri standing intimately close in the forest of Pandora in Avatar - Avatar hasn't matched the storytelling framework of some of its biggest rivals - The Avatar Franchise Still Doesn't Have A Spinoff TV Show
Spinoff shows are not a new idea, but they have become more popular recently. For example, Star Wars and the MCU are big competitors of Avatar in terms of box office success. They have many spinoff TV shows to expand their worlds. However, Avatar mainly tells its stories through its movies.
Avatar has expanded its universe beyond the realm of movies. One example is the video game Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, which ties into The Way of Water and the existing lore. Additionally, there are comic books that follow the main storyline. Despite this, TV shows are the most common alternative medium, making it surprising that Avatar has not ventured into television yet.
The Long Runtimes Of The Avatar Movies Would Be Well-Suited To A TV Show Format
Cameron's long tales could work better if split into shorter segments
Stephen Lang smiling as Na'vi Quaritch in Avatar: The Way of Water - Cameron's long tales could work better if split into shorter segments - The Long Runtimes Of The Avatar Movies Would Be Well-Suited To A TV Show Format
The Avatar movies, directed by James Cameron, have an average runtime of about three hours each, indicating a rich and detailed storyline. TV shows are a popular choice for telling longer stories because they offer more screen time. Additionally, breaking down an epic tale into shorter episodes can make it easier for viewers to follow and enjoy.
While an Avatar TV show could potentially do well, the length of the movies hasn't seemed to hurt the franchise's success. However, introducing a show to expand on the story of the war on Pandora would be a great addition to James Cameron's sci-fi saga. Avatar might not necessarily require a spinoff TV show, but it would still be a welcome addition.
The first two Avatar movies are available for streaming on Disney+ now. The next three movies are set to be released in December of 2025, 2029, and 2031 in theaters.
Editor's P/S:
The Avatar franchise has undoubtedly made a significant impact on the film industry, but its lack of a spinoff TV show is a glaring omission compared to its rivals. While the movies have been commercially successful, expanding the universe through a TV series could offer a unique opportunity to explore the world of Pandora and its inhabitants in greater depth. The long runtimes of the movies would be well-suited to a TV show format, allowing for a more detailed exploration of the characters and storylines.
Despite the franchise's success, the absence of a spinoff TV show suggests a missed opportunity to engage with the dedicated fanbase and further expand the Avatar universe. A well-crafted TV series could complement the movies, providing additional context and character development while also attracting new viewers to the franchise. It would be fascinating to see how James Cameron and his team approach a TV adaptation, and whether they would utilize the medium to explore different perspectives or expand upon the existing lore.
