James Wan Expresses Interest in Directing Avatar 4 Amid Possible Franchise Expansion
January 6, 2026
If Avatar 4 receives the green light from 20th Century Studios and Disney, a renowned horror director is eager to step into the director’s chair. James Wan, known for his mastery of horror and blockbuster hits, has previously proven his ability to handle large-scale franchises, making him a compelling candidate for the project.
The Future of Avatar Films
In December, Sigourney Weaver mentioned that Avatar 4 and Avatar 5 are "up in the air," as the studio evaluates the success of Avatar: Fire and Ash. Since the film has surpassed $1 billion globally, studio executives are likely considering greenlighting Cameron’s continued exploration of Pandora.
Avatar: Fire and Ash centers on the Sully family as they cope with the tragic loss of Neteyam (Jamie Flatters). Colonel Quaritch (Stephen Lang) allies with Varang (Oona Chaplin), the fierce leader of the Mangkwan clan, giving the RDA a formidable advantage over the Na’vi. By the end of the third film, the Sullys successfully repel the RDA, with Quaritch seemingly perishing in battle. However, the conflict on Pandora remains unresolved, setting the stage for future installments.
James Wan’s Interest in Avatar 4
James Wan has publicly expressed his desire to direct Avatar 4, especially if Cameron chooses to take a step back from the franchise temporarily. Wan’s prolific career spans horror hits like the Saw, Insidious, and The Conjuring franchises, alongside blockbuster films such as Aquaman, Furious 7, and Malignant.
In an interview with ScreenRant for Peacock’s The Copenhagen Test, Wan shared his enthusiasm:
“I have not done Avatar. Yeah, if you could put a good one for me with James Cameron, I’d love to take a crack at that.”
Wan’s track record at the box office is impressive; his franchises have collectively earned billions—The Conjuring over $2.8 billion, Saw over $1 billion, and Aquaman also crossing the billion-dollar mark in 2018. Given that successful Avatar films tend to hit similar benchmarks, Wan could be a perfect fit for the franchise’s future.
Cameron’s Plans for Avatar
While Cameron has expressed interest in directing Avatar 4, he also mentioned a desire to step back and explore more collaborative efforts. In December, he told The Hollywood Reporter:
“I’m not saying I’m going to step away as a director, but I’m going to pull back from being as hands-on with every tiny aspect of the process.”
This suggests that Cameron might look for co-directors or other collaborators to share the workload, opening the door for other talented filmmakers like Wan to contribute.
What’s Next?
As the Avatar franchise evolves, fans can look forward to updates on the production schedule, potential new directors, and Cameron’s ongoing involvement. In the meantime, stay tuned for Avatar: Fire and Ash streaming on Disney+, insights from Stephen Lang on Quaritch and Jake Sully, and Cameron’s thoughts on AI actors shaping the future of filmmaking.
Note: All information is based on current reports and statements from involved parties.