‘Avatar 4’ and 5 Moving Forward at Full Speed According to Producer

James Cameron’s Pandora saga is moving forward as fans eagerly await the next chapters. While Disney hasn’t officially confirmed the sequels, Avatar producer Rae Sanchini told Inverse that production on the fourth and fifth films is underway and the team is fully committed.

Sanchini explained that the crew is currently focused on planning, scheduling, and budgeting to prepare for such a massive undertaking. She said, “Right now we’re figuring out the schedule. We’re working hard on it right now, budgeting, scheduling, planning, and building out our new pipeline for them. As far as we’re concerned, we’re full speed ahead.”

One big change for the upcoming films is a shift to more accessible technology. Earlier entries relied on the Lightstorm system, which required highly specialized tools. For the new sequels, the team will use platforms that are more widely available, allowing production to be smoother and more efficient.

Sanchini also confirmed that the scripts for the next films are complete. “We have the scripts, they’re brilliant. As far as I’m concerned, we’re heading forward,” she said. Tentative release dates are set for 2029 and 2031, though these could change once the schedule is finalized.

This announcement comes after the 2025 release of Avatar: Fire and Ash, which grossed about $1.48 billion worldwide. While still impressive, the figure is lower than the $2.2 billion earned by The Way of Water, raising questions about the franchise’s future box office performance.

James Cameron, meanwhile, is balancing his work on Pandora with other projects. He recently confirmed that he is developing a new Terminator reboot that will focus more on artificial intelligence than traditional cyborgs. He is also attached to a project called Last Train from Hiroshima, giving him a chance to explore a story far removed from the world of aliens and Pandora.

Fans can look forward to the physical media release of Fire and Ash on May 19. Despite logistical and financial challenges, Cameron’s vision for a five-film arc remains intact.

He has said that the fourth and fifth films will take the story in new and unexpected directions, expanding the world of Pandora in ways that haven’t been seen in the previous installments. As Sanchini emphasized, the production is moving forward with full momentum, and fans can expect more updates as the sequels continue to take shape.

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