Disney delays the Avatar sequels; the fifth movie will now be released in 2031.
“Avatar: The Way of Water” faced numerous delays before finally hitting theatres in 2022, but it seems that the saga of Avatar’s release dates is far from over. Recently, the Walt Disney Co. announced a further setback, pushing back the release of Avatar 3 by a year. Originally scheduled for December 2024, it is now slated for December 2025.
This delay also affects the subsequent installments, with Avatar 4 set to premiere in December 2029 and Avatar 5 in December 2031. If these dates hold, the Avatar film series will span across four decades, from the 2000s to the 2030s.
The director of the Avatar franchise, James Cameron, who launched the first film in 2009, has hinted that he may not direct the fourth and fifth installments. By the time Avatar 5 is released in December 2031, Cameron will be 77 years old. Despite the delays, both Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water have been highly successful at the box office, collectively earning over $5.2 billion.
Disney’s announcement also revealed changes in release plans for other major franchises. Two Star Wars films are now scheduled for 2026, with one film being moved from December 2025 to May 2026 and a second film added for December 2026. However, no details about these untitled productions have been disclosed yet.
In the Marvel universe, several release dates were rescheduled. Avengers: Kang Dynasty, a crucial release for Marvel, has been postponed from May 2025 to May 2026. This film prominently features actor Jonathan Majors, who faced charges of domestic violence in March. Majors’ next court hearing is scheduled for June 13, and his attorney maintains his innocence.
Disney’s 20th “Century Fox studio” also made some adjustments to its release calendar. An upcoming Alien film is now slated for August of the following year, while “Deadpool 3” will debut in May 2024 instead of the originally planned November release in the subsequent year.