IT's Avatar Forms
A genetically engineered Na'vi body remotely operated by humans via brain–computer interface to interact with the Na'vi on Pandora.
The Avatar franchise is an American epic science fiction media franchise created by James Cameron, beginning with the 2009 film Avatar. Produced by Lightstorm Entertainment and distributed by 20th Century Studios, it includes associated merchandise, video games, and theme park attractions. The films are set in the mid-22nd century on Pandora, a lush habitable moon of a gas giant in the Alpha Centauri star system. The central conflict is between the indigenous Na'vi, led by Jake Sully and Neytiri, and humans led by Colonel Miles Quaritch from the Resources Development Administration (RDA), a megacorp that has arrived to colonize and pillage Pandora for its natural resources. The title refers to a genetically engineered Na'vi body remotely operated by humans via brain–computer interface to interact with the Na'vi on Pandora.
Quick Facts
- Primary avatar
- Genetically engineered Na'vi body
- Location
- Pandora, a moon of Polyphemus in the Alpha Centauri star system
- Nature
- Genetically engineered Na'vi body remotely operated by humans via brain–computer
Lore & Background
The first installment, Avatar, was released on December 18, 2009, and is the highest grossing motion picture of all time without inflation adjustments. The planned sequel series was announced by 20th Century Fox on December 11, 2009, one week before Avatar was released to theaters, and confirmed on January 15, 2010. The second installment, The Way of Water, was released on December 16, 2022. The third installment, Fire and Ash, was released on December 19, 2025.
Like the original film, the four planned sequels (The Way of Water, Fire and Ash, 4, and 5) have 'fully encapsulated' stand-alone plots that 'come to their own conclusions'. The four films have an overarching meta-narrative story arc that connects them to create a large interconnected saga. Cameron described the sequels as 'a natural extension of all the themes, and the characters, and the spiritual undercurrents' of the first film. The franchise is one of the most expensive franchises undertaken, with the combined budget of the first film and its four sequels estimated at $1 billion.
It has grossed more than $6.7 billion worldwide, making it the 12th-highest-grossing film series of all time. The first two films received largely positive critical reviews, while the third film received mixed-to-positive reviews.
Reader's Guide
The avatar forms are genetically engineered Na'vi bodies remotely operated by humans via brain–computer interface to interact with the Na'vi on Pandora. In the first film, the protagonist Jake Sully is given an avatar which he uses to interact with Neytiri and her clan, the Omatikaya. The central conflict is between the indigenous Na'vi led by Jake Sully and Neytiri, and humans led by Colonel Miles Quaritch from the Resources Development Administration (RDA), a megacorp that has arrived on Pandora to colonize and pillage it for its natural resources.
The first film, Avatar, was released on December 18, 2009. The second film, The Way of Water, was released on December 16, 2022. The third film, Fire and Ash, was released on December 19, 2025. A fourth film is planned for release on December 21, 2029, and a fifth film is scheduled for December 19, 2031.
Cameron said he would consider making sixth and seventh films if there was demand for them, but that due to his age he would have to train a successor to direct them.
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