LOS ANGELES, Jan 22 (Reuters) – Expensive film sequel “Avatar: The Method of Water” topped $2 billion in world field workplace receipts on Sunday, sealing its spot as one other hit franchise for the Walt Disney Co (DIS.N).
Director James Cameron had mentioned the film wanted to succeed in the $2 billion mark simply to interrupt even. “The Method of Water” debuted in late December, 13 years after the unique “Avatar” launched the luxurious world of Pandora and have become a worldwide phenomenon.
Field workplace gross sales for “The Method of Water” totaled $2.024 billion on Sunday, based on Disney estimates. After six weekends in theaters, it ranks because the sixth-highest grossing film of all time. Roughly $1.4 billion of ticket gross sales have come from worldwide markets outdoors the US and Canada.
“It is an unqualified success,” mentioned Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore. “Any time you’re within the billions you’re within the pantheon of high franchises.”
Disney has not disclosed the film’s funds, however the Hollywood Reporter mentioned it price at the least $350 million to provide plus advertising and marketing prices. Studios cut up ticket gross sales with theaters.
[1/3] Director James Cameron arrives on the world premiere of ‘Avatar: The Method of Water’ in London, Britain December 6, 2022. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photograph
The robust reception for the movie additionally ought to assist entice crowds to a Pandora space at Walt Disney World in Florida, analysts mentioned, and spark merchandise gross sales for years to return.
“Avatar” was touted as one of many jewels in Disney’s $71 billion buy of twenty first Century Fox property in 2019, a property it may elevate alongside Marvel and Star Wars. Activist investor Nelson Peltz, who’s searching for a seat on the Disney board, has argued that the corporate paid an excessive amount of for Fox.
A 3rd “Avatar” film, which Cameron has already filmed, is scheduled to debut in December 2024. The fourth and fifth installments are slated for December 2026 and December 2028.
The unique “Avatar” enchanted audiences with groundbreaking visuals that informed the story of Pandora’s blue, 9-foot-tall Na’vi folks. The 2009 film stays the highest-grossing movie in historical past with $2.9 billion in world ticket gross sales.
In “The Method of Water,” actors Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana return as Jake Sully and Neytiri 10 years later, now mother and father of 5 kids. When people return to go after Jake, the household takes refuge with an oceanic clan.
Cameron has directed three of the highest six movies of all time – the 2 “Avatar” films and 1997 drama “Titanic.”
Reporting by Lisa Richwine in Los Angeles
Modifying by Chizu Nomiyama and Matthew Lewis
: .
