Avatar director James Cameron has expressed hope for the survival of movie theaters in the wake of challenges presented by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
"Everybody makes a big deal out of [the box office battle], but the truth is what we really need to focus on is getting back to theaters," Cameron said after being asked about Avatar and Avengers: Endgame competing for the title of the highest-grossing movie worldwide during an appearance on The Tonight Show. "Hopefully we can still have movies like that, Endgame and Avatar and the big Marvel movies and all that, movies that are able to make $1 billion or $2 billion."
"Let’s pray that movie theaters are still there after this pandemic and after this shift towards streaming," Cameron continued. "Not that I have anything against streaming. There’s great writing and great shows in [streaming], but let’s remember that movie theaters are a sacred experience for all of us. Let’s get back out there when it’s safe to do so."
An Oscar-winning filmmaker known for helming movies like Titanic and Aliens, James Cameron is currently working on a series of Avatar sequels, the first of which -- Avatar 2 -- has already finished filming. Cameron also serves as a producer on the new Disney+ documentary miniseries Secret of the Whales.
Written and directed by James Cameron, Avatar 2 stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel David Moore, Edie Falco, Kate Winslet, Oona Chaplin, Vin Diesel, Michelle Yeoh and David Thewlis. The film arrives in theaters on Dec. 16, 2022, followed by Avatar 3 on Dec. 20, 2024 , Avatar 4 on Dec. 18, 2026 and Avatar 5 on Dec. 22, 2028.
Source: The Tonight Show, via IndieWire