James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water has been rocking the box office since its release. It’s been only two days since its release, and the highly anticipated sequel has already taken over as the biggest opening of the year. The film comes 13 years after the release of the first film, Avatar, which went on to be the highest-grossing film of all time. The 2009 film has held onto the title ever since, and it seems like the sequel is on the same path as the first film.
Earlier, James Cameron said that The Way of Water needs to be the third or fourth highest-grossing film to consider profitable. And looking at its opening at the box office, it can be suggested that the sequel would indeed reach the target set by its filmmaker.
Avatar: The Way of Water Becomes Biggest Opening of 2022
Avatar: The Way of Water is reportedly produced on a budget of $400 million, and according to the director, it would need to gross over $2 billion just to break even. The sequel seems to be following Cameron’s lead as it becomes the highest opening-day grosser of the year.
The Way of Water has earned $180 million worldwide within two days of its release. It has earned $127 million from 52 offshore screenings and $53 million domestically. One of the notable territories, that could have a huge impact is China. However, theatres in the country are still suffering from the coronavirus shutdown.
The 2009 film Avatar has grossed over $200 million in the country over the years. Avatar: The Way of Water was also expected to see $100 million from its Chinese opening. However, the sequel has managed to gross $44 million from China.
The Way of Water was expected to make $450 million and $550 million in its opening weekend. But the numbers were later revised to $410 million worldwide. The Way of Water has left Marvel Studios’ two sequels, Black Panther 2 and Doctor Strange 2, behind to be the biggest opening of 2022.
Read More: Avatar: The Way of Water Cast: Who Does Kate Winslet and Zoe Saldana Play in James Cameron’s Sequel?
James Cameron Felt Morally Obligated Not to Change the Length of The Way of Water
James Cameron has defended the film for being over three hours. The director has earlier claimed that after Disney took over 20th Century Fox, he straight out refused to compromise with the runtime of the film.
The Titanic director has shared that there was a lot of tension around the film’s runtime. He claimed that the story is a “complicated linear narrative,” and excluding any scene was not possible.
“It’s like dominos falling: This has to happen for that to happen. You’re not following a bunch of parallel plot lines in a way that you could take a lot out,” Cameron said.
The director further explained, “The hardest thing when you’re trying to shorten a film is to hold onto the things that don’t advance the plot, that is beautiful or scary or suspenseful for their own sake.”
He shared that things were cut off during editing, but they were back in the film when it felt that the “pacing was off.” The True Lies director has been working on the film for more than a decade. Avatar: The Way of Water was earlier expected to release in 2014.
However, the film faced delays due to technological restraints and when he was able to overcome these obstacles, Cameron says he felt “morally obligated” not to change the length of the film.
Avatar: The Way of Water is playing in theatres now.
Source: Twitter
