Before the COVID-19 pandemic, China was a reliable and consistent market for Hollywood films. But, the country’s support for the American film industry has since plummeted as the Chinese government enacted censorship that has severely limited the number of Hollywood films that are released in the country. To support its censorship, the authorities cited reasons such as the political themes and statements in these films. Another factor that seems to weigh heavily on China’s decision to restrict Hollywood films in its theaters is the political and economic war it’s currently in the middle of with the United States. China’s decision had a huge impact on the global box-office earnings of North American films since the country has the second-largest box-office market in the world, only after the United States. One of the biggest victims of this decision is Marvel, as none of its films since 2019’s Spider-Man: Far From Home has secured a Chinese release, including Black Widow, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Thor: Love and Thunder, Eternals, as well as Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. James Cameron is probably jumping in joy right now that Avatar: The Way of Water secured a theatrical release in the country. In a recent interview, the visionary director stated that the film will need to become one of the highest films in box office history to break even. Naturally, given its nature, the film was expensive to make with reports alleging a production price tag ranging from $250 to $400 million minus marketing and advertising costs. As a result, it will need all the help it can get and the Chinese theatrical release is a massive boost for its potential earnings. The original Avatar film was released in 2009 to huge critical and commercial success. With a $2.92 billion box office gross, it is the most successful film in box office history ahead of Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame, another James Cameron-directed film Titanic, and Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens. However, the film has the international market to thank for its success. When it was released in 2009, it only grossed $779 million in the domestic market, which means that it grossed over $2 billion at the global box office. China played a huge part in this as it contributed over $200 million to this figure. To put things in perspective, Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens is the highest-grossing film in the US market with $936 million, and internationally, the film earned $2.06 billion. Basically, Avatar is the top-grossing movie of all time and China is a huge part of its success. This is why the film’s theatrical release in China will come as a massive relief to the top brass of Disney. Also, the popularity of the first film, as is evident with the performance of its recent re-release at the global box office, will put their minds at rest. Avatar: The Way of Water will reportedly have a runtime of over three hours. The film is set several years after the events of the first film. It will follow Jake Sully, his wife Neytiri, and their children as they fight to stay together. The family will journey across Pandora and Jake will take on an ancient threat in the form of humans once again. The film will see Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, CCH Pounder, Matt Gerald, and Giovanni Ribisi reprise their roles as Jake Sully, Neytiri, Colonel Miles Quaritch, Mo’at, Corporal Lyle Wainfleet, and Parker Selfridge respectively. Sigourney Weaver will also return to the film but in a different role. The film will also feature new cast members Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, Brendan Cowell, Jemaine Clement, and Eddie Cowell as Ronal, Tonowari, Captain Mick Scoresby, Dr. Ian Garvin, and General Frances Ardmore respectively. Apart from directing, Cameron is one of the film’s producers alongside Jon Landau. He is also one of the scriptwriters with Rick Jaff and Amanda Silver. Cameron is a renowned filmmaker known for making science fiction and epic movies. He made his filmmaking debut with 1978’s Xenogenesis. However, he didn’t make his mark in the industry until Arnold Schwarzeneggers’ The Terminator which was released in 1984. He continued this success with groundbreaking sci-fi movies like Aliens and The Abyss. He is also the brain behind Titanic, Alita: Battle Angel, The Muse, and Aliens of the Deep. Cameron is the recipient of multiple prestigious awards, including the prestigious Academy Awards, BAFTA Awards, Critics Choice Movie Awards, Hugo Awards, Jupiter Awards, and many more. In other entertainment news, one of Hollywood’s leading men for decades Gary Oldman has revealed he will retire in the near future. Also, Rocky actor Sylvester Stallone has stated he might not reprise his role as Dwight Manfredi in the second season of Tulsa King even if Paramount+ renews the series. Avatar: The Way of Water is slated for release on December 16 in both standard and IMAX theaters. The film will release in theaters in the US and most international markets simultaneously.
