Before “Avengers: Endgame” became the highest-grossing film ever worldwide, the top spot was previously held by James Cameron’s sci-fi epic “Avatar.” The 2009 film took the box office by storm, and the director thinks his film can do it again.

The first film in the sci-fi franchise earned a total of $2.78 billion at the box office breaking ground in filmmaking. With “Avatar” celebrating its 10th anniversary this week, the film could be getting a re-release soon to help moviegoers revisit the world of Pandora before the sequels come out. Cameron thinks that the film’s rerelease can help it reach the top of the box office again to beat “Avengers: Endgame,” according to USA Today.

"I think it’s a certainty," Cameron said. "But let’s give 'Endgame' their moment and let’s celebrate that people are going to the movie theater."

“Avengers: Endgame” managed to pull in $2.79 billion at the box office, in part thanks to the film coming back in theaters during the late summer. “Avatar” pulled a similar move prior to the Marvel movie when the film was re-released in 2010 with an extended cut. Within the 12 weeks of its release, the special edition of the movie added an additional $33.2 million to its worldwide box office total.

If the film ends up returning to theaters for another theatrical run, it should add in more numbers to possibly take “Avengers: Endgame” off the top spot. "If [a rerelease] can service the release of the sequels, then great. Our focus is on the sequels," producer Jon Landau said. "It's not about looking back, not trying to overtake."

Cameron is currently in the process of making multiple sequels to the films, with post-production already beginning early this year. The new films would be utilizing new technology similar to “Avatar” after years of developing more groundbreaking progress in filmmaking.

“Avatar 2” is planned for a release on Dec. 17, 2021.

Avatar
James Cameron has once again delayed the release of “Avatar 2.” 20th Century Fox
RELATED STORIES