The complete version of 'Avatar 3' will run for 9 hours.

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Director James Cameron hopes to handle the visual effects for the entire 9-hour duration of Avatar 3 before deciding to shorten it for the official release.

While 'Avatar: The Way of Water' was released just 2 weeks ago, director James Cameron and the production team at 20th Century Studios are already busy preparing for 'Avatar 3,' with the tentative title 'Avatar: The Seed Bearer.'

According to reports, both blockbusters have been filmed simultaneously over the past period. The third installment has also wrapped up filming and is now entering post-production to be ready for release at the end of 2024, which is almost 2 years away.

This is a new secret revealed by film critic Jeff Sneider on 'The Hot Mic' podcast. Not only that, Sneider also mentioned that director Cameron wants the post-production teams to handle the visual effects for the entire film before he decides which parts to cut for the official release. In other words, even the unused segments will be meticulously polished down to the smallest detail, no different from the segments shown on the big screen.

“An insider has just revealed to me that Cameron recently submitted the film version of Avatar 3 (to 20th Century Studios) last week,” Sneider shared. “

No joke, that version runs for 9 hours. And of course, Cameron insists that the post-production team must handle VFX for the entire 9 hours first, then he will consider and trim the length, rather than the other way around.”

James Cameron has pulled off the extraordinary with the 'Avatar' films, and it's evident that the third installment is no exception. However, alongside the immense workload required for the visual effects team, a 9-hour runtime isn't exactly ideal for a cinematic masterpiece.

Firstly, few audiences have the patience, and the stamina, to sit still in theaters and continuously watch a film of such 'monstrous' length. Secondly, such a large runtime with unchanged theater capacities will reduce the number of screenings per day, thereby affecting the film's revenue. And finally, perhaps no VFX studio would agree to handle even the segments that will never be screened.

However, with a director as experienced and visionary as James Cameron, he probably has his own calculations for his decisions. Recently, Cameron has shared about combining cinema and television to provide a more exciting experience for the audience.

He believes that the theatrical version will be shortened, with a runtime ranging from 2.5 to 3.5 hours. Then, the complete version, usually over 6 hours long, will be released on streaming platforms. At that point, a 9-hour runtime won't be such a big issue and can be divided into several smaller episodes for convenient viewing.

Furthermore, if all the scenes of 'Avatar 3' are already processed for visual effects, then in the future, Cameron could release a 'director's cut' version at any time he desires.

Moreover, this will also somewhat support the next 2 installments of 'Avatar,' tentatively titled 'Avatar: The Tulkun Rider' and 'Avatar: The Quest for Eywa.' Director Cameron can utilize the completed, visually processed scenes that were cut from parts 4 and 5 to save time and production costs for these two films.

Ultimately, James Cameron has plenty of reasons to continue creating the extraordinary for his beloved franchise, especially after the success of the first two installments.

While Avatar currently reigns as the highest-grossing film of all time, Avatar: The Way of Water is also making waves in theaters worldwide. Currently, the film has surpassed the $1 billion mark despite only being released on December 16th.

SOURCES: THE HOT MIC, SCREENRANT

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the expected runtime for Avatar 3 directed by James Cameron?

The expected runtime for Avatar 3, directed by James Cameron, is currently around 9 hours in its initial version. However, Cameron plans to shorten it for the theatrical release to approximately 2.5 to hours, providing a more audience-friendly experience.

How does James Cameron plan to handle visual effects for Avatar 3?

James Cameron intends to have the post-production team complete visual effects for the entire 9-hour film before deciding on the final cut. This meticulous approach ensures that all segments, even unused ones, are polished to a high standard.

Will there be a director's cut version of Avatar 3 in the future?

Yes, there is a possibility of a director's cut version of Avatar 3 being released in the future. With all scenes already processed for visual effects, Cameron could release this version at any time, allowing fans to enjoy additional content.

What are the challenges of releasing a 9-hour film in theaters?

Releasing a 9-hour film presents several challenges, including audience stamina for long viewing sessions, reduced daily screenings due to length, and potential reluctance from VFX studios to work on segments not shown in theaters.