The potential performance at the box office for Avatar: The Way of Water is a hot topic, considering that the first Avatar film is the highest-grossing film ever made and that the sequel will have to smash into the box office for it to even make a profit. The CEO of IMAX, Richard Gelfond, is confident the long-awaited return to Pandora will succeed. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Gelfond claimed that Avatar: The Way of Water will have “one of the highest pre-sale levels we’ve ever seen” during a conference at the Wells Fargo TMT summit, although he couldn’t reveal the exact numbers. He also said, “I’m extremely excited about Avatar getting into China.”
A week ago, it was confirmed that Avatar: The Way of Water will release in China, which significantly increases its chances of succeeding at the box office. Gelfond admitted that it was a ‘volatile’ market, considering that some COVID restrictions are still in effect in China and around the world, but still remains hopeful. The first film earned a significant sum from Chinese theaters, including IMAX ones, but it remains to be seen if fans of the Avatar franchise are still excited about the sequel.
Avatar and IMAX Share DNA, According to IMAX CEO
Avatar was well-known for its breakthrough visual effects on an IMAX screen, although the regular version of the film was still stunningly impressive. “Avatar and Imax share a synergy, a DNA,” Gelfond added, pointing out that the IMAX version of the first film made $250 million in box office sales in just 250 IMAX-compatible theaters. The sequel will release on 1,700 IMAX screens across nearly 90 countries, drastically increasing the availability of the premium version of the film.
Tickets to IMAX screens are more expensive than regular tickets – which also means the movie can make more money, although the technology required even to create an IMAX-compatible movie comes with a hefty investment. Avatar: The Way of Water will still be released to non-IMAX theaters for moviegoers who don’t have an IMAX theater nearby, prefer a cheaper ticket, or just want to view the film the old-fashioned way.
The film’s performance in both theater types is essential to its success, which could make or break the franchise’s future. James Cameron plans to make three more sequels after Avatar: The Way of Water, and has previously stated that the wait for the second Avatar film took so long because he was waiting for better underwater motion-capture technology.
Directed, written, and produced by James Cameron, Avatar: The Way of Water will release exclusively in theaters on December 16th, 2022. The cast returning from the first film includes Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, and Stephen Lang, with Kate Winslet joining the franchise. It will be distributed by 20th Century Studios, which is owned by The Walt Disney Company.
