Avatar (franchise)#Cast and characters
{{short description|Science fiction franchise by James Cameron}}
{{about|the film franchise|the television franchise|Avatar: The Last Airbender (franchise){{!}}Avatar: The Last Airbender (franchise)|other uses|Avatar (disambiguation)}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox media franchise
| title = Avatar
| image = Avatar-Logo-2018.png
| caption = Logo used since 2022
| creator = James Cameron
| owner = 20th Century Studios
Lightstorm Entertainment
| origin = Avatar (2009)
| years = {{start date|2009}}–present
| novels =
| comics =
| graphic_novels = Avatar: The High Ground (2022–2023)
| plays =
| books =
| soundtracks = {{plainlist|
- {{nowrap|Avatar}} (2009)
- {{nowrap|Avatar: The Way of Water}} (2022)
- {{nowrap|Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora}} (2023)
}}
| music = {{plainlist|
}}
| films = {{plainlist|
- {{nowrap|Avatar}} (2009)
- {{nowrap|Avatar: The Way of Water}} (2022)
- {{nowrap|Avatar: Fire and Ash}} (2025)
- {{nowrap|Avatar 4}} (2029)
- {{nowrap|Avatar 5}} (2031)
}}
| vgs = {{plainlist|
- {{nowrap|Avatar: The Game}} (2009)
- {{nowrap|Avatar: Pandora Rising}} (2020)
- {{nowrap|Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora}} (2023)
}}
| toys = Lego Avatar
| attractions = {{Plainlist|
- Avatar Flight of Passage (2017)
- Na'vi River Journey (2017)
}}
| website = {{official URL}}
}}
Avatar is an American epic science fiction media franchise created by James Cameron, which began with the eponymous 2009 film. Produced by 20th Century Studios and distributed by Lightstorm Entertainment, it consists of associated merchandise, video games, and theme park attractions.{{cite news |last=Keiles |first=Jamie Lauren |title='Avatar' and the Mystery of the Vanishing Blockbuster - It was the highest-grossing film in history, but foryears it was remembered mainly for having been forgotten. Why? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/30/magazine/avatar-franchise.html |date=December 1, 2022 |work=The New York Times |access-date=December 3, 2022}} Avatar is set in the mid-22nd century on Pandora, a lush habitable moon of a gas giant in the Alpha Centauri star system. The films' central conflict is between the indigenous Na'vi led by Jake Sully and Neytiri, and humans led by Colonel Miles Quaritch from the Resources Development Administration (RDA), a megacorp which has arrived on Pandora to colonize and pillage it for its natural resources. The title of the series refers to the genetically engineered Na'vi body operated from the brain that humans pilot to interact with on Pandora.
The first installment, Avatar, was released on December 18, 2009, and is the highest grossing motion picture of all time when ticket price inflation is not considered. The second installment, The Way of Water, was released on December 16, 2022. The planned sequel series was announced by 20th Century Fox on December 11, 2009, one week before Avatar was released to theaters. 20th Century Fox confirmed the series on January 15, 2010. The Avatar franchise is one of the most expensive franchises undertaken, with the combined budget of the first film and its four sequels estimated at $1 billion. The franchise has grossed more than $5.2 billion worldwide; it is the 15th-highest-grossing film series of all time.
Like the original film, the four sequels have "fully encapsulated" stand-alone plots that "come to their own conclusions". The four films have an overarching meta-narrative that connects them to create a large interconnected saga.{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/avatar-producer-teases-the-four-sequels-the-connected-story-arc-creates-an-even-larger-epic-saga/ |title=Avatar producer teases the four sequels: "The connected story arc creates an even larger epic saga" |date=December 8, 2021}} Cameron described the sequels as "a natural extension of all the themes, and the characters, and the spiritual undercurrents" of the first film.
Films
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| rowspan="2" | Film
! rowspan="2" | U.S. release date ! rowspan="2" | Director ! colspan="2" | Written by ! rowspan="2" | Produced by ! rowspan="2" | Status |
|---|
| Screenwriter(s)
! Story by |
| style="text-align:left" | Avatar
| style="text-align:left" | {{start date|2009|12|18}} | rowspan="5" | James Cameron | colspan="2" | James Cameron | rowspan="5" | James Cameron and Jon Landau | rowspan="2" | Released |
| style="text-align:left" | Avatar: The Way of Water
| style="text-align:left" | {{start date|2022|12|16}} | rowspan="2" | James Cameron, Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver | rowspan="4" | James Cameron, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, |
| style="text-align:left" | Avatar: Fire and Ash
| style="text-align:left" | {{start date|2025|12|19}} | Post-production |
| style="text-align:left" | Avatar 4
| style="text-align:left" | {{start date|2029|12|21}} | James Cameron & Josh Friedman | Filming on hiatus |
| style="text-align:left" | Avatar 5
| style="text-align:left" | {{start date|2031|12|19}} | James Cameron & Shane Salerno | In development |
=''Avatar'' (2009)=
{{main|Avatar (2009 film){{!}}Avatar (2009 film)}}
Avatar was written and directed by James Cameron. The cast includes Sam Worthington, Zoë Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, Stephen Lang, Joel David Moore, Giovanni Ribisi, CCH Pounder, Dileep Rao, Matt Gerald, Laz Alonso, and Wes Studi, and is set in the year 2154.
The story focuses on an epic conflict on Pandora, an inhabited Earth-sized moon of Polyphemus, one of three gas giants orbiting Alpha Centauri A. On Pandora, human colonists and the sentient humanoid indigenous inhabitants of Pandora, the Na'vi, engage in a war over the planet's resources (such as unobtanium) and the latter's continued existence. The film's title refers to the remotely controlled, genetically engineered human-Na'vi bodies used by the film's human characters to interact with the natives.{{cite news |url=http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1576622,00.html |title=Q&A with James Cameron |magazine=Time |last=Keegan |first=Rebecca Winters |date=January 11, 2007 |access-date=December 26, 2009}} The protagonist, Jake Sully, is a paraplegic young man who travels to Pandora from Earth. Assisting the corporate monolith known as the Resources Development Administration (RDA), he is given an avatar which he uses to interact with the story's heroine, Neytiri, as well as her clan known as the Omatikaya.
=''Avatar: The Way of Water'' (2022)=
{{main|Avatar: The Way of Water{{!}}Avatar: The Way of Water}}
Avatar: The Way of Water was written and directed by James Cameron, The cast includes Sam Worthington, Zoë Saldaña, Joel David Moore, Sigourney Weaver, CCH Pounder, Stephen Lang, Giovanni Ribisi, Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, Trinity Bliss, Jamie Flatters, Britain Dalton, and Jack Champion, and is set 13 years after the first film in the year 2170.
The Way of Water focuses on the return of the RDA, which prompts Jake's family to seek refuge in the water regions of Pandora to keep one another safe. Cameron said in an interview that while the first film was about the "awe and wonder", the sequel focuses more on the characters. The film was originally planned for a December 2014 release, but was delayed several times and released on December 16, 2022. Production began in August 2017. It wrapped in September 2020.{{Cite news |title=Avatar 2 Has Completed Filming, James Cameron Confirms |url=https://screenrant.com/avatar-2-movie-filming-complete-james-cameron/ |last=Zinsky |first=Dan |date=September 25, 2020 |access-date=September 26, 2020 |work=Screen Rant}}{{Cite news |title=James Cameron Says 'Avatar 2' Filming Is 100% Complete, 'Avatar 3' 95% Finished; Praises New Zealand COVID Response |url=https://deadline.com/2020/09/james-cameron-avatar-2-complete-avatar-3-95-percent-finished-covid-new-zealand-video-1234586091/ |last=Tartaglione |first=Nancy |date=September 28, 2020 |access-date=September 29, 2020 |work=Deadline Hollywood}}{{Cite news |title='Avatar 2' Has Filming Finished, 'Avatar 3' Is 95% Complete, James Cameron Says |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/avatar-2-avatar-3-filming-status-1234785321/ |last=McNary |first=Dave |date=September 28, 2020 |access-date=September 29, 2020 |work=Variety}}
=''Avatar: Fire and Ash'' (2025)=
{{main|Avatar: Fire and Ash{{!}}Avatar: Fire and Ash}}
A third film is planned for release on December 19, 2025.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2023/06/disney-marvel-wga-strike-thunderbolts-blade-avengers-kang-dynasty-1235415782/ |title='Thunderbolts', 'Blade', 'Avengers: Kang Dynasty', 'Secret Wars' Among Disney Release Date Changes Due To WGA Strike |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |website=Deadline |date=June 13, 2023 |access-date=June 13, 2023 |language=en}} Interviews in mid-2010 suggested that the third film would explore more of the Alpha Centauri system, but the script was not completed until late 2015. Fire and Ash started shooting simultaneously with The Way of Water in New Zealand on September 25, 2017; filming was completed in late December 2020. The film will introduce a new aggressive Na'vi clan known as 'Ash People' who reside near volcanoes.{{cite web |date=July 23, 2020 |title='Star Wars' Films, 'Avatar' Sequels Pushed Back a Year in Disney Release Calendar Shakeup |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/box-office/star-wars-films-avatar-sequels-pushed-back-a-year-in-disney-release-calendar-shakeup-1234715104/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723212010/https://variety.com/2020/film/box-office/star-wars-films-avatar-sequels-pushed-back-a-year-in-disney-release-calendar-shakeup-1234715104/ |archive-date=July 23, 2020}} Cameron announced the film's title in 2024.{{cite web |last=Stolworthy |first=Jacob |date=August 10, 2024 |title=Avatar 3 title revealed and plot details teased by James Cameron |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/avatar-3-fire-ash-release-d23-updates-b2594331.html |website=The Independent |access-date=August 13, 2024}}
=''Avatar 4'' (2029)=
{{main|Avatar 4{{!}}Avatar 4}}
A fourth film is planned for release on December 21, 2029. Jon Landau said that, due to a six-year time skip in the first act, a third of Avatar 4 has already been filmed to account for the aging of the child actors, and on September 9, 2022, it was announced at the D23 Expo that principal photography had officially begun for Avatar 4. However, in January 2024, Cameron said that he would not start filming the remainder of Avatar 4 until after the release of Avatar: Fire and Ash.{{cite web|title=Sam Worthington Says 'We Go Back to Work' on 'Avatar' Sequels 'In a Month and It's Big. It's Bigger Than You Can Imagine'|author=Sharf, Zack|accessdate=2024-01-17|website=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/sam-worthington-avatar-3-sequels-bigger-than-you-can-imagine-1235866044/|date=January 9, 2024|archive-date=January 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117223608/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/sam-worthington-avatar-3-sequels-bigger-than-you-can-imagine-1235866044/|url-status=live}} Cameron stated that Avatar: The Tulkun Rider is being considered as a possible title for the fourth film.{{Cite web |title=James Cameron Reveals Legitimacy of 'Avatar' Sequel Titles Leak (Exclusive) |url=https://www.etonline.com/james-cameron-reveals-legitimacy-of-avatar-sequel-titles-leak-exclusive-118997 |website=Entertainment Tonight |date=February 6, 2019}}
=''Avatar 5'' (2031)=
A fifth and final film has been announced and is scheduled for December 19, 2031. Jon Landau stated that part of Avatar 5 will take place on Earth, with Neytiri visiting the planet.{{cite news |last=Lussier |first=Germain |title=Avatar 5 Will Return to Earth, But That Leaked Title Is Wrong |url=https://gizmodo.com/avatar-5-plot-james-cameron-pandora-earth-jon-landau-1849854542 |date=December 7, 2022 |work=io9 |access-date=December 21, 2022}}{{cite news |last=Sharf |first=Zack |title=Na'vi Will Come to Earth If James Cameron Gets to Make 'Avatar 5′: 'We Want to Expose Neytiri' to Our Planet |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/avatar-5-plot-navi-earth-neytiri-1235457940/ |date=December 12, 2022 |work=Variety |access-date=December 21, 2022}} Cameron stated that Avatar: The Quest for Eywa is being considered as a possible title for the fifth and final film.{{cite web |language=en-US |access-date=December 14, 2022 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/james-cameron-interview-avatar-the-way-of-water-franchise-future-1235271483/ |work=The Hollywood Reporter |title=Inside James Cameron's Billion-Dollar Bet on 'Avatar' |last=Keegan |first=Rebecca |date=November 30, 2022}}{{Cite web |date=2022-12-06 |title=James Cameron shares 'Avatar 6' and 'Avatar 7' plans |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/james-cameron-shares-avatar-6-and-avatar-7-plans/ |access-date=2022-12-20 |website=faroutmagazine.co.uk |language=en-US}}
Cast and characters
{{Cast indicator|appeared=the franchise|U|V|Y}}
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| rowspan="4" | Character |
|---|
| colspan="5" | Films
! Video game |
| Avatar
! Avatar 4 ! Avatar 5 |
| 2009
! 2022 ! 2025 ! 2029 ! 2031 ! 2009 |
| Jake Sully
| colspan="5" | Sam Worthington | {{cEmpty}} |
| Neytiri
| colspan="5" | Zoe Saldaña | {{cEmpty}} |
| Colonel Miles Quaritch
| colspan="5" | Stephen Lang | Stephen Lang{{ref|voice|V}} |
| Parker Selfridge
| colspan="5" | Giovanni Ribisi | Giovanni Ribisi{{ref|voice|V}} |
| Dr. Norm Spellman
| colspan="5" | Joel David Moore | {{cEmpty}} |
| Dr. Max Patel
| colspan="5" | Dileep Rao | {{cEmpty}} |
| Corporal Lyle Wainfleet
| colspan="5" | Matt Gerald | {{cEmpty}} |
| Mo'at
| colspan="5" | CCH Pounder | {{cEmpty}} |
| Dr. Grace Augustine
| colspan="2" | Sigourney Weaver | colspan="3" {{cEmpty}} | Sigourney Weaver{{ref|voice|V}} |
| Trudy Chacón
| colspan="4" {{cEmpty}} | Michelle Rodriguez{{ref|voice|V}} |
| Eytukan
| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}} |
| Tsu'tey
| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}} |
| Kiri
| {{cEmpty}} | colspan="4" | Sigourney Weaver | {{cEmpty}} |
| Ronal
| {{cEmpty}} | colspan="4" | Kate Winslet | {{cEmpty}} |
| Tonowari
| {{cEmpty}} | colspan="4" | Cliff Curtis | {{cEmpty}} |
| General Frances Ardmore
| {{cEmpty}} | colspan="4" | Edie Falco | {{cEmpty}} |
| Captain Mick Scoresby
| {{cEmpty}} | colspan="4" | Brendan Cowell | {{cEmpty}} |
| Dr. Ian Garvin
| {{cEmpty}} | colspan="4" | Jemaine Clement | {{cEmpty}} |
| Lo'ak
| {{cEmpty}} {{small|Chloe Coleman{{ref|young|Y}}}} | colspan="3" | Britain Dalton | {{cEmpty}} |
| Miles "Spider" Socorro
| {{cEmpty}} | colspan="4" | Jack Champion | {{cEmpty}} |
| Neteyam
| {{cEmpty}} | colspan="4" {{cEmpty}} |
| Tuktirey "Tuk"
| {{cEmpty}} | colspan="4" | Trinity Jo-Li Bliss | {{cEmpty}} |
| Tsireya "Reya"
| {{cEmpty}} | colspan="4" | Bailey Bass | {{cEmpty}} |
| Aonung
| {{cEmpty}} | colspan="4" | Filip Geljo | {{cEmpty}} |
| Rotxo
| {{cEmpty}} | colspan="4" | Duane Evans Jr. | {{cEmpty}} |
| Metkayina Interpreter
| {{cEmpty}} | CJ Jones{{ref|uncredited|U}} | colspan="4" {{cEmpty}} |
| Varang
| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}} | colspan="3" | Oona Chaplin | {{cEmpty}} |
| Peylak
| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}} | colspan="3" | David Thewlis | {{cEmpty}} |
| Dr. Karina Mogue
| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}} | colspan="2" | Michelle Yeoh | {{cEmpty}} |
Production details
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center; margin=auto; width:100%;"
|+Production details of Avatar films |
| scope="col"| Film
!scope="col"| Composer !scope="col"| Cinematographer !scope="col"| Editors !scope="col"| Production companies !scope="col"| Distributor !scope="col"| Running time |
|---|
| scope="row"| Avatar
| Stephen E. Rivkin | Lightstorm Entertainment | 162 min. |
| scope="row"| Avatar: The Way of Water
| rowspan="4" | Score by: Themes by: James Horner | rowspan="2" | Russell Carpenter | David Brenner | rowspan="4" | 20th Century Studios | rowspan="4" |Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | 192 min. |
| scope="row"| Avatar: Fire and Ash
| David Brenner | rowspan="3" | TBA |
| scope="row"| Avatar 4
| rowspan="2" | Mauro Fiore | rowspan="2" | Stephen E. Rivkin |
| scope="row"| Avatar 5 |
Reception
= Box office performance =
The first film grossed $2.92 billion worldwide and is the highest-grossing film in history. The second film, The Way of Water, has grossed $2.32 billion worldwide and currently ranks as the third highest-grossing film. The third, fourth, and fifth films in the series are expected to have a budget of $250 million.{{cite news |title=The 'Avatar' Sequels "Will Be the Most Expensive Movies of All Time," According to Fox |url=http://collider.com/avatar-sequels-budget/ |author=Chris Cabin |newspaper=Collider |date=September 30, 2017 |access-date=October 3, 2017}}
= Critical and public response =
= Accolades =
{{Main|List of accolades received by Avatar|l1=List of accolades received by Avatar|List of accolades received by Avatar: The Way of Water|l2=List of accolades received by Avatar: The Way of Water}}
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Academy Awards received by the Avatar franchise ! colspan="2" rowspan="2" scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" | 2010{{cite web |title=Oscar winners 2010: full list |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/mar/07/oscar-winners-2010-full-list |website=the Guardian |access-date=February 19, 2023 |date=March 8, 2010}} ! scope="col" | 2023{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Hilary |date=January 24, 2023 |title=Oscars: Full List of Nominations |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/oscar-nominations-2023-nominees-list-1235307974/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124150506/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/oscar-nominations-2023-nominees-list-1235307974/ |archive-date=January 24, 2023 |access-date= |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} |
| Avatar
! Avatar: The Way of Water |
|---|
| colspan="2" scope="row" | Best Picture
| {{nom}} | {{nom}} |
| colspan="2" scope="row" | Best Director
| {{nom}} | {{N/A}} |
| colspan="2" scope="row" | Best Cinematography
| {{won}} | {{N/A}} |
| colspan="2" scope="row" | Best Film Editing
| {{nom}} | {{N/A}} |
| colspan="2" scope="row" | Best Original Score
| {{nom}} | {{N/A}} |
| colspan="2" scope="row" | Best Production Design{{efn|name=production design|Starting with the 85th Academy Awards (2012), the Best Art Direction category was renamed Best Production Design.}}
| {{won}} | {{nom}} |
| rowspan="2" scope="row" | Best Sound{{efn|name=sound|Starting with the 93rd Academy Awards (2021), the Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing categories were consolidated into a single Best Sound category.}}
! scope="row" | Editing | {{nom}} | rowspan="2" {{nom}} |
| scope="row" | Mixing
| {{nom}} |
| colspan="2" scope="row" | Best Visual Effects
| {{won}} | {{won}} |
Music
- Avatar (Music from the Motion Picture) was scored by James Horner and released on December 15, 2009, by Atlantic Records and Fox Music.
- Avatar: The Way of Water (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) was scored by Simon Franglen and released on December 15, 2022, by Hollywood Records.
- Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora (Original Game Soundtrack) was scored by Pinar Toprak and released on December 8, 2023, by Lakeshore Records.
=Singles=
Other media
=Video games=
{{Video game titles|
{{Video game titles/item
| article = Avatar: The Game
| title = Avatar: The Game
| date = {{Video game release|WW|December 1, 2009}}
|refs= {{cite news |author=Ubisoft |title=Ubisoft and Fox Team for Avatar Game |publisher=Comingsoon.net |date=July 24, 2007 |url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/avatarnews.php?id=22704 |access-date=July 25, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070922041114/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/avatarnews.php?id=22704 |archive-date=September 22, 2007}}{{cite web |last=Miller |first=Ross |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/24/james-cameron-selects-ubisoft-for-mmo-project-avatar/ |title=Miller, Ross; "James Cameron selects Ubisoft to adapt Avatar"; joystiq.com; July 24, 2007 |publisher=Joystiq.com |date=July 24, 2007 |access-date=June 4, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629212417/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/24/james-cameron-selects-ubisoft-for-mmo-project-avatar/ |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |url-status=dead}}
|release= 2009 – PlayStation 3, Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, iPhone
2010 – iPad, Android
|notes= * Published by Ubisoft for consoles and Gameloft for mobile devices.
- Acts as a non-canon prequel to the film, features Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, and Giovanni Ribisi reprise their roles from the film.
- The casting and voice production for Avatar: The Game was handled by Blindlight.
- Third-person shooter action-adventure game
}}
{{Video game titles/item
| article =
| title = Avatar: Pandora Rising
| date = {{Video game release|US|January 22, 2020}}
| multiplereleasedates = no
|refs= {{Cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/business/scopely-acquires-disneys-foxnext-games-maker-of-marvel-strike-force/ |title=Scopely acquires Disney's FoxNext Games, maker of Marvel Strike Force |website=VentureBeat |date=January 22, 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.pandorarising.com |title=Avatar: Pandora Rising |publisher=Scopely |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405041731/https://pandorarising.com/ |archive-date=April 5, 2022 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 24, 2022}}
|release= 2020 – iOS, Android
|notes=
- Developed by FoxNext Games Los Angeles and published by FoxNext Games
- Game was soft launched but never received a full release
- Real-time strategy game
- On February 11, 2022, it was announced the game would cease production and servers would be shut down April 4, 2022.{{cite web |url=https://www.kelutral.org/blog/avatar-pandora-rising-shutting-down |title=AVATAR Pandora Rising Shutting Down}}
}}
{{Video game titles/item
| article = Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
| title = Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
| date = {{Video game release|WW|December 7, 2023}}
|refs= {{Cite web |date=2021-06-12 |title=A New 'Avatar' Video Game Was Announced and People Have Mean Jokes |url=https://www.thewrap.com/a-new-avatar-video-game-was-announced-and-people-have-mean-jokes/ |access-date=2023-03-10 |language=en-US}}{{cite web |url=https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/game/avatar-frontiers-of-pandora |title=Avatar Frontiers of Pandora |publisher=Ubisoft |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911044322/https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/game/avatar-frontiers-of-pandora |archive-date=September 11, 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=September 24, 2022}}{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=2023-06-12 |title=Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is coming out later this year |url=https://www.theverge.com/23754942/avatar-frontiers-of-pandora-trailer-ubisoft-forward-2023 |access-date=2023-06-12 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}
|release= 2023 – PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S, Amazon Luna
|notes=
- Developed by Massive Entertainment and published by Ubisoft
- Action-adventure game
}}
{{Video game titles/item
| article =
| title = Avatar: Reckoning
| date = TBA
|release= TBA – iOS, Android
|notes= * Developed by Archosaur Games and published by Level Infinite
- MMO role-playing third-person shooter game
}}
}}
= Novels =
Following the release of Avatar, Cameron initially planned to write a novel based on the film, "telling the story of the movie, but [going] into much more depth about all the stories that we didn't have time to deal with."{{cite web |first=Alison |last=Flood |title=James Cameron to write novel based on Avatar |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/feb/18/james-cameron-avatar-prequel-novel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108070905/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/feb/18/james-cameron-avatar-prequel-novel |website=The Guardian |date=February 18, 2010 |archive-date=January 8, 2014 |access-date=March 8, 2021 |url-status=live}}
In 2013, this plan was superseded by the announcement of four new novels set within the "Avatar expanded universe", to be written by Steven Gould.{{Cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/james-cameron-spins-avatar-book-612326/ |title=James Cameron Spins off 'Avatar' Book Series |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=August 22, 2013}} The books were due to be published by Penguin Random House, but there has been no update on the planned book series since 2017.{{cite web |first=John |last=Maher |title=PRH Inks Multi-Book 'Avatar' Deal |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/book-deals/article/75550-prh-inks-multi-book-avatar-deal.html |website=Publishers Weekly |date=December 7, 2017 |access-date=March 8, 2021}}
In July 2022, the first graphic novel based on the Avatar franchise was announced.
= Books =
The Art of Avatar is a film production art book released on November 30, 2009, by Abrams Books.
The World of Avatar: A Visual Exploration Is a book that celebrates, explores, and explains the spectacular world of Pandora. The book was released on May 31, 2022, by DK Books
The Art of Avatar The Way of Water takes an exclusive look behind-the-scenes on the production and creative process of James Cameron's Avatar: The Way of Water. It was released on December 16, 2022, by DK Books
Avatar The Way of Water The Visual Dictionary is a visual guide that showcases characters, vehicles, weapons, locations, and more from the movie, as well as many stunning exclusive details. This book was released on December 16, 2022, by DK Books
= Comic books =
In October 2015, Dark Horse Comics signed a 10-year partnership to publish Avatar comics.{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/10/09/nycc-2015-james-camerons-avatar-comes-to-dark-horse-comics |title=NYCC 2015: James Cameron's Avatar Comes to Dark Horse Comics |date=October 9, 2015}}
On May 6, 2017, Dark Horse Comics published a Free Comic Book Day one-shot entitled FCBD 2017: James Cameron's Avatar / Briggs Land, which included a short story set in the world of Avatar entitled "Brothers".{{cite web |title=FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2017: JAMES CAMERON'S AVATAR/ BRIGGS LAND |url=https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/3001-260/Free-Comic-Book-Day-2017-James-Camerons-Avatar-Briggs-Land |website=Dark Horse Comics |access-date=May 28, 2020}}{{cite web |title=AVATAR: TSU'TEY'S PATH TPB |url=https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/29-482/Avatar-Tsuteys-Path-TPB |website=Dark Horse Comics |access-date=May 28, 2020}}
From January to August 2019, Dark Horse published a six-issue miniseries called Avatar: Tsu'tey's Path.{{cite web |title=AVATAR: TSU'TEY'S PATH #1 |url=https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/29-476/Avatar-Tsuteys-Path-1 |website=Dark Horse Comics |access-date=May 28, 2020}}{{cite web |title=AVATAR: TSU'TEY'S PATH #2 |url=https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/29-477/Avatar-Tsuteys-Path-2 |website=Dark Horse Comics |access-date=May 28, 2020}}{{cite web |title=AVATAR: TSU'TEY'S PATH #3 |url=https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/29-478/Avatar-Tsuteys-Path-3 |website=Dark Horse Comics |access-date=May 28, 2020}}{{cite web |title=AVATAR: TSU'TEY'S PATH #4 |url=https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/29-479/Avatar-Tsuteys-Path-4 |website=Dark Horse Comics |access-date=May 28, 2020}}{{cite web |title=AVATAR: TSU'TEY'S PATH #5 |url=https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/29-480/Avatar-Tsuteys-Path-5 |website=Dark Horse Comics |access-date=May 28, 2020}}{{cite web |title=AVATAR: TSU'TEY'S PATH #6 |url=https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/29-481/Avatar-Tsuteys-Path-6 |website=Dark Horse Comics |access-date=May 28, 2020}}
Tsu'tey's Path was collected in trade paperback format on November 27, 2019, with "Brothers" included as supplementary material.
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center; width:99%;" |
| scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | {{Abbr|No.|Number}} of ! scope="col" | Issue {{Abbr|No.|Number}} ! scope="col" | Release date ! scope="col" | Story ! scope="col" | Art ! scope="col" | Colors ! scope="col" | Covers |
|---|
| scope="row" | "Brothers"
| 1 | FCBD 2017 | May 6, 2017 | Sherri L. Smith | Doug Wheatley | Wes Dzioba | Dave Wilkins |
| scope="row" rowspan="6" | Tsu'tey's Path
| rowspan="6" | 6 | 1 | January 16, 2019 | rowspan="6" | Sherri L. Smith | rowspan="6" | Jan Duursema (pencils) | rowspan="6" | Wes Dzioba | rowspan="6" | Doug Wheatley |
| 2
| February 13, 2019 |
| 3
| March 20, 2019 |
| 4
| May 1, 2019 |
| 5
| June 26, 2019 |
| 6
| August 21, 2019 |
| scope="row" rowspan="4" | The Next Shadow
| rowspan="4" | 4 | 1 | January 6, 2021 | rowspan="4" | Jeremy Barlow | rowspan="4" | Josh Hood | rowspan="4" | Wes Dzioba | rowspan="4" | Guilherme Balbi |
| 2
| February 3, 2021 |
| 3
| March 3, 2021 |
| 4
| April 7, 2021 |
| scope="row" rowspan="6" | Adapt or Die
| rowspan="6" | 6 | 1 | May 4, 2022 | rowspan="6" | Corinna Bechko | rowspan="6" | Beni Lobel | rowspan="6" | Mark Molchan | rowspan="6" | Wes Dzioba |
| 2
| June 1, 2022 |
| 3
| July 6, 2022 |
| 4
| August 1, 2022 |
| 5
| September 9, 2022 |
| 6
| October 5, 2022 |
| scope="row" rowspan="4" | The Next Shadow
| rowspan="4" | 4 | 1 | January 6, 2021 | rowspan="4" | Jeremy Barlow | rowspan="4" | Josh Hood | rowspan="4" | Wes Dzioba | rowspan="4" | Guilherme Balbi |
| 2
| February 3, 2021 |
| 3
| March 3, 2021 |
| 4
| April 7, 2021 |
| scope="row" rowspan="6" | Frontiers of Pandora - So'lek's Journey
| rowspan="6" | 6 | 1 | February 28, 2024 | rowspan="6" | Ray Fawkes | rowspan="6" | Gabriel Guzman | rowspan="6" | Michael Atiyeh | rowspan="6" | Gabriel Guzmán |
| 2
| March 27, 2024 |
| 3
| April 24, 2024 |
| 4
| May 29, 2024 |
| 5
| July 17, 2024 |
| 6
| August 21, 2024 |
== Collected editions ==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: left; width:99%;" |
| scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Release date ! scope="col" | ISBN |
|---|
| scope="row" | Avatar: Tsu'tey's Path
| November 27, 2019 | {{ISBNT|9781506706702}} |
| scope="row" | Avatar: The Next Shadow
| August 11, 2021 | {{ISBNT|9781506722429}} |
| scope="row" | Avatar: Adapt or Die
| February 22, 2023 | {{ISBNT|9781506730714}} |
| scope="row" | Avatar: The High Ground Library Edition
| May 10, 2023 | {{ISBNT|9781506710440}} |
| scope="row" | Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora - So'lek's Journey
| December 18, 2024 | {{ISBNT|9781506732237}} |
= Live show =
{{Main|Toruk – The First Flight}}
Toruk – The First Flight is an original stage production by the Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil which ran between December 2015 and June 2019. Inspired by Avatar, the story is set in Pandora's past, involving a prophecy concerning a threat to the Tree of Souls and a quest for totems from different tribes. Audience members could download an app in order to participate in show effects. On January 18, 2016, it was announced via the Toruk Facebook page that filming for a DVD release had been completed and was undergoing editing.{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/torukthefirstflight/photos/a.1122793164413320.1073741826.1087940301231940/1314514921907809/?type=3&theater |title=That's a wrap! Filming for the upcoming #TORUK DVD is complete! Next stop, the editing room... |publisher=TORUK - The First Flight via Facebook |date=January 17, 2016 |access-date=January 18, 2016}}
= Exhibition =
Avatar The Exhibition is a touring exhibition based on the first film. It opened in Chengdu, China on May 1, 2021, and closed on December 31, 2021.{{cite news |url=http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1576622,00.html |title=AVATAR: EXPLORE PANDORA Welcomes Guests In Chengdu |date=April 30, 2021 |access-date=February 2, 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://avatartheexhibition.com/ |publisher=20th Century Studios |access-date=October 11, 2022 |title=Avatar the Exhibition}} It is currently touring Asia with future stops planned around the globe.{{cite news |url=https://www.licenseglobal.com/movies/exclusive-walt-disney-company-and-lightstorm-entertainment-avatar-2-collaborations-and |title=Exclusive: The Walt Disney Company and Lightstorm Entertainment on 'Avatar 2' Collaborations and Consumer Products |date=March 22, 2022 |access-date=March 28, 2022}}
= Theme park attractions =
==Pandora: World of ''Avatar'' ==
{{Main|Pandora – The World of Avatar}}
In 2011, Cameron, Lightstorm, and Fox entered an exclusive licensing agreement with The Walt Disney Company to feature Avatar-themed attractions at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts worldwide, including a themed land for Disney's Animal Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The area, known as Pandora – The World of Avatar, opened on May 27, 2017.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/8782056/Disney-to-build-Avatar-attractions-at-its-theme-parks.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/8782056/Disney-to-build-Avatar-attractions-at-its-theme-parks.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Disney to build Avatar attractions at its theme parks |last=Cody |first=Anthony |date=September 22, 2011 |access-date=September 23, 2011 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}{{cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2017/biz/news/disney-avatar-land-pandora-opening-date-star-wars-land-1201980722/ |title=Disney's 'Avatar'-Themed Land Opening Date Revealed, Star Wars Land Coming in 2019 |last=Levy |first=Dani |date=February 7, 2017 |magazine=Variety |access-date=February 8, 2017}} The themed land is set generations after the events of the films and features two attractions: Avatar Flight of Passage, a flying simulator attraction, and Na'vi River Journey, a boat dark ride.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}
==''Avatar'' Land==
In February 2023, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that a new attraction based on the Avatar films, that he referred to as "Avatar Experience", would open at Disneyland.{{Cite web |last=Goldsmith |first=Jill |date=February 8, 2023 |title='Avatar' Experience Coming To Disneyland |url=https://deadline.com/2023/02/avatar-experience-coming-disneyland-bob-iger-1235253825/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209011046/https://deadline.com/2023/02/avatar-experience-coming-disneyland-bob-iger-1235253825/ |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |access-date=February 9, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} In August 2024, it was announced that the Avatar land will be built at Disney California Adventure. The land will be inspired by The Way of Water (2022) and future Avatar films.{{cite news|last=Taylor|first=Drew|url=https://www.thewrap.com/avatar-land-disney-california-adventure-first-details/|title='Avatar' Land Inspired by Sequels Coming to Disney's California Adventure|website=thewrap.com|date=August 10, 2024|accessdate=September 11, 2024}} In June 2025, it was announced that the Avatar land will be built on a portion of the park's Hollywood Backlot area, which will result in the closure of Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! in early 2026.{{Cite web |last=Francis |first=Katie |date=2025-06-06 |title=BREAKING: Monsters Inc. Closing Timeframe Announced to Make Way for Pandora - World of Avatar Disney California Adventure - WDWNT |url=https://wdwnt.com/2025/06/breaking-monsters-inc-closing-timeframe-announced-to-make-way-for-pandora-world-of-avatar-disney-california-adventure/ |access-date=2025-06-17 |website=WDW News Today |language=en-US}}
Cultural impact
= Psychological impact =
An observable phenomenon{{Cite news |last1=Cain |first1=Sian |last2=Harmon |first2=Steph |last3=Harmon |first3=Sian Cain explains it to Steph |date=2022-12-15 |title='Post-Avatar depression syndrome': why do fans feel blue after watching James Cameron's film? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/dec/15/post-avatar-depression-syndrome-why-do-fans-feel-blue-after-watching-james-camerons-film |access-date=2024-10-19 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} dubbed "post-Avatar depression (PAD),{{Cite web |date=2022-12-28 |title=I suffered from PAD Syndrome after watching Avatar 2. Here's what it means |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/i-suffered-from-pad-syndrome-after-watching-avatar-2-heres-what-it-means-article-96577780 |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=Times Now |language=en}} "post-Avatar depression syndrome (PADS)", "Avatar depression syndrome"{{Cite web |last=updated |first=The Week Staff last |date=2010-01-12 |title='Avatar' depression syndrome? |url=https://theweek.com/articles/497767/avatar-depression-syndrome |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=theweek |language=en}} or "Avatar blues" has been reported in the media, such as by CNN{{Cite web |date=2010-01-14 |title=Audiences experience 'Avatar' blues - CNN.com |website=CNN |url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/11/avatar.movie.blues/index.html |access-date=2024-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114025935/http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/11/avatar.movie.blues/index.html |archive-date=January 14, 2010 }} and The Guardian for Avatar 1 and Avatar 2.{{Cite news |title='Post-Avatar depression syndrome': Why does James Cameron's film leave people feeling depressed? |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/2022/12/15/post-avatar-depression-syndrome-why-does-james-camerons-film-leave-people-feeling-depressed/ |access-date=2024-10-19 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-12-15 |title=Was verbirgt sich hinter dem Phänomen? |url=https://www.stern.de/kultur/-post-avatar-depressions-syndrom---was-verbirgt-sich-hinter-dem-phaenomen--33011608.html |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=stern.de |language=de}} It was first brought up on Avatar websites and forums, such as in thousands of posts of people discussing their experience with depression after watching the first movie. It is not a recognized medical condition.{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Valerie |date=2023-01-12 |title=How Avatar Took Fans To The Edge Of Depression |url=https://www.looper.com/1164750/how-avatar-took-fans-to-the-edge-of-depression/ |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=Looper |language=en-US}}
It is a sentiment reported by some people after watching Avatar movies. Reported "symptoms" include sadness, depression, a feeling of meaninglessness and a dissatisfaction with one's existence and the real world, and worries about the future of Earth and issues such as climate change.{{Cite web |title=Connaissez-vous le syndrome de dépression post-Avatar ? |url=https://www.rtbf.be/article/connaissez-vous-le-syndrome-de-depression-post-avatar-11127665 |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=RTBF |language=fr}} One user reported suicide ideation in the hope of reincarnating in a world similar to Pandora.
"Avatar blues" is thought to be caused by the longing for the utopian world and society of Pandora, which, unlike many other fictional settings, is a real-seeming alternate world.{{Cite web |title=Avatar blues? {{!}} Psychology Today |url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/promoting-hope-preventing-suicide/201001/avatar-blues |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=www.psychologytoday.com |language=en-US}} By contrast, Earth, the human race, and life's complexity and problems appear gray and non-idyllic.{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=J. Kim |date=2022-12-14 |title=The Beauty of 'Avatar' Left Some Fans Depressed — After Forming a Supportive Online Community, They Now Brace for 'The Way of Water' |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/features/avatar-depression-fans-the-way-of-water-1235460636/ |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} People with "Avatar blues" say they really want to live in Pandora, or wish to escape reality for a virtual reality. One fan estimated that 10-20% of posters on Avatar forums reported experiencing it.
To cope with the depression, Psychology today advised to maintain realistic expectations for the real world and focus on its positive aspects like people and hobbies, while Avatar fans organized group meetings to sometimes talk about their struggle.
Critics of the phenomenon argue that affected people may have already been melancholic or depressed before watching the movie, or that considering the large audience reach, some people were statistically going to become depressed.{{Cite web |date=2010-01-14 |title='Avatar' Leaves Some Fans Feeling Legitimately Blue » MTV Movies Blog |url=http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2010/01/11/avatar-leaves-some-fans-feeling-legitimately-blue |access-date=2024-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114024206/http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2010/01/11/avatar-leaves-some-fans-feeling-legitimately-blue |archive-date=January 14, 2010 }} A depression expert called it an insult to depressed people and did not consider it clinical depression.
= Consideration of indigenous people =
Some indigenous groups, including Native Americans, have called for a boycott of the franchise over "tone-deaf" handling of indigenous cultures and cultural appropriation. Both Avatar films have drawn criticism for casting several white and other non-indigenous actors in the roles of the alien native people. Cameron said he tried to move away from a white savior narrative.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-19 |title=James Cameron's old comments prompt Native American boycott of new 'Avatar' sequel |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-12-19/native-american-boycott-avatar-the-way-of-water |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-12-19 |title="Avatar" faces calls for boycott over accusations of racism |url=https://www.newsweek.com/avatar-faces-calls-boycott-over-accusations-racism-1768217 |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-12-23 |title=People are boycotting Avatar: The Way of Water over 'cultural appropriation' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/avatar-2-way-of-water-boycott-native-americans-b2250539.html |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=The Independent |language=en}} The film series was criticized for "romanticization of colonization" and putting forward a monolithic portrayal of Indigenous people.{{Cite web |last1=Magazine |first1=Smithsonian |last2=Feldman |first2=Ella |title=Indigenous Activists Criticize 'Avatar' Sequel |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/avatar-sequel-evokes-criticism-from-indigenous-activistsagain-180981351/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Smithsonian Magazine |language=en}}
Cameron faced criticism for comments made after the release of the first film. In 2010, Cameron and Avatar actors supported the Xingu peoples in opposing the construction of the Belo Monte Dam.{{Cite web |date=2010-04-17 |title=Avatar director James Cameron joins Amazon tribe's fight to halt giant dam |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/apr/18/avatar-james-cameron-brazil-dam |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}
In 2012, Cameron said Avatar is a fictional retelling of the history of North and South America in the early Colonial period, "with all its conflict and bloodshed between the military aggressors from Europe and the indigenous peoples".{{Cite web |last=Acuna |first=Kirsten |title=James Cameron Swears He Didn't Rip Off The Idea For 'Avatar' |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/james-camerons-45-page-declaration-proving-avatar-was-his-idea-2012-12 |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}{{Cite journal |last=Flory |first=Dan |date=2013-01-01 |title=Race and Imaginative Resistance in James Cameron's Avatar |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.3167/proj.2013.070203 |journal=Projections |volume=7 |issue=2 |doi=10.3167/proj.2013.070203 |issn=1934-9688|url-access=subscription }}
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|avatar.com}}
{{Avatar (franchise)}}
{{James Cameron}}
{{Disney franchises}}
Category:20th Century Studios franchises
Category:Science fiction film franchises
Category:Film series introduced in 2009
Category:Films set in the future
Category:Films about technology
Category:Films about extraterrestrial life
Category:Films set on fictional planets
Category:Films set on fictional moons
Category:Films about rebellions
Category:Films about space warfare