Disney+ no longer has access to James Cameron’s Avatar, even though the film will be re-released in theatres in exactly one month. Disney is using the re-release of Avatar to promote the upcoming release of Avatar: The Way of Water, a sequel that has been in the works for more than a decade. Disney+ users had had the luxury of rewatching Cameron’s extraterrestrial journey whenever they pleased from the convenience of their own homes. If you were planning on rewatching Avatar right before watching The Way of Water, you’re out of luck.
The cult classic’s re-release is likely behind the decision to remove it from streaming services, as a lack of availability may encourage viewers to see it in theatres. In 2009, Avatar surpassed Titanic as the highest-grossing film of all time at the worldwide box office, earning $2.8 billion. While Avatar still reigns supreme internationally, it has fallen in the domestic chart behind Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Avengers: Endgame, and Spider-Man: No Way Home. It’s easy to see why Disney is banking on The Way of Water’s success at the box office and remaking the original film for financial gain.
Still, it looks bad that Disney cut Avatar from Disney+ without giving subscribers any advance notice. Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel David Moore, Dileep Rao, CCH Pounder, and Matt Gerald all make their return in The Way of Water. In addition, Sigourney Weaver is scheduled to return, albeit in a new capacity. Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, Edie Falco, Brendan Cowell, Michelle Yeoh, Jemaine Clement, Oona Chaplin, Vin Diesel, and CJ Jones are among the new cast members for Avatar: The Way of Water. Josh Friedman and Cameron co-wrote the script for Avatar: The Way of Water. Cameron co-wrote the script for the first film in the series, so he is not only directing but also producing the sequel with Jon Landau.
Immediately following the production of Avatar: The Way of Water, Cameron began filming a third, untitled Avatar film, and he is already hard at work on the scripts for the fourth and fifth instalments in the series. Since Cameron plans to present a continuous tale across all four Avatar sequels, the success of Avatar: The Way of Water will determine whether or not the fourth and fifth films are greenlit. Moviegoers may see Avatar: The Way of Water in cinemas on December 16. The re-release of Avatar will occur on September 23. When or if Avatar will return to Disney+ is still unknown. For the time being, you should go ahead and purchase re-release tickets.