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Is Avatar 2 a Sequel?


Avatar 2: The Way of Water (2022) is heading to theaters later this year, and the trailer promises yet another epic sci-fi adventure set in the lush alien world of Pandora. But is Avatar 2 a sequel?

Avatar 2: The Way of Water
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Avatar 2: The Way of Water

Check out the epic new trailer for Avatar 2: The Way of Water below:

Following the release of Avatar (2009), a number of future films were confirmed, which came as no surprise as the film grossed $3 billion at the worldwide box office and became the highest-grossing film of all time.

And since then, James Cameron, along with his enormous cast and crew, have been working on them. But in the years that followed it was unknown whether or not a second movie would serve as a sequel, a prequel, or a spin-off.

Related: Avatar 2 Release Date, Plot, Trailer, Cast, News & Everything You Need to Know

Avatar 2: The Way of Water
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Avatar 2: The Way of Water

It's fair to say that you can take a number of directions with Avatar. After all, Cameron and his team have created an insanely rich world that's teeming with alien life (so much so that there's even an open-world game on the horizon).

But, as the official trailer for Avatar: The Way of Water confirms, the upcoming film is indeed a sequel to 2009's Avatar. It is said to take place some 10 years after the original, and will once again follow the character of Jake Sully.

Related: Why Avatar 2 is Taking So Long to Make and The Reason it Might Flop

Avatar 2: The Way of Water
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Avatar 2: The Way of Water

As per the official 20th Century Studios description, the synopsis for Avatar: The Way of Water is:

Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, Avatar: The Way of Water begins to tell the story of the Sully family, the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure.

Related: Avatar 2 Star Michelle Yeoh Praises James Cameron's "Genius" Sequel

Avatar 2: The Way of Water
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Avatar 2: The Way of Water

So, Avatar 2 is a direct sequel, but what about the last three films? Well, no plot information has been revealed as yet, and it's likely we'll have to watch Avatar: The Way of Water before we find out anything, but we do know a few things.

For starters, Avatar 3 is almost complete - around "95%" according to Cameron. And we also know that it will release on December 20, 2024, Avatar 4 will follow on December 18, 2026, and Avatar 5 on December 22, 2028, respectively.

Related: Avatar 2 Budget: This is How Much It Cost to Make

Avatar 2: The Way of Water
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Avatar 2: The Way of Water

But whether or not the last three films will be sequels remains to be seen, however, it was recently reported that James Cameron may not direct the last two films, with the possibility of handing over to another director.

Nevertheless, the plan for the final few Avatar movies has undoubtedly been laid out, especially considering each film is already at some level of production, with the farthest release date being only six years out.

Related: Avatar 2: Jake and Neytiri Started a Family, and Adopted a Human

Avatar 2: The Way of Water
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Avatar 2: The Way of Water

Avatar: The Way of Water stars Sam Worthington (Jake Sully), Zoe Saldana (Neytiri), CCH Pounder (Mo’at), Giovanni Ribisi (Parker Selfridge), Joel David Moore (Dr. Norm Spellman), Dileep Rao (Dr. Max Patel), Matt Gerald (Corporal Lyle Wainfleet), Sigourney Weaver, and Stephen Lang.

Related: Where to Watch and Stream Avatar: The Way of Water Free Online

Avatar 2: The Way of Water
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Avatar 2: The Way of Water

Newcomers to the Na’vi are Cliff Curtis (Tonowari), Jamie Flatters (Neteyam), Jeremy Irwin (Young Neteyam), Britain Dalton (Lo’ak), Chloe Coleman (Young Lo’ak), Trinity Bliss (Tuktirey), Bailey Bass (Tsireya), Filip Geljo (Aonung), Duane Evans Jr. (Rotxo), and Kate Winslet (Ronal).

Newcomers to the human cast are Jack Champion (Javier “Spider” Socorro), Edie Falco (General Ardmore), Michelle Yeoh (Dr. Karina Mogue), Brendan Cowell (Captain Mick Scoresby), Jemaine Clement (Dr. Ian Garvin), Oona Chaplin (Varang), and Vin Diesel and CJ Jones in undisclosed roles.

Related: James Cameron Already Shot Footage For Avatar 4 Ahead of Its 2026 Release Date

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Avatar 2: The Way of Water is scheduled for release in theaters on December 16. It will be released exclusively in theaters, as well as in the following formats - Dolby Cinema, IMAX, and IMAX 3D formats.

Related: Why is Avatar Getting So Many Sequels?

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