James Cameron is protective of his Avatar series, defending the 2009 blockbuster’s duration. In an interview with GQ published on November 21, 2022, Oscar-winning filmmaker James Cameron said he told a Fox executive to shut up after a heated disagreement about his film’s runtime, per People.
Cameron, who is 68 years old, remembered that a Fox employee, who won’t be named because this is such a bad review, was upset that the first movie was two hours and 42 minutes long.
Cameron: “I said something I’ve never said in the profession.” “I think this movie will make a fortune.” When it does, you’ll be too late to love the film. “It’s time to enjoy the movie.”
He said, “So I’m not asking you to say something you don’t feel, but just know that no matter how complimentary you are about the movie in the future, when it makes all the money—and that’s exactly what I said, in caps: ALL THE MONEY, not some of the money, all the f——-g money.” I responded, “You can’t compliment the film or say, “Look what we did together.” You can’t do that.”
“The studio executive flipped out and bugged me.” And I told him to leave. Cameron left it there.
The movie’s $77,025,481 domestic opening weekend broke many records. Since its 2009 debut, the film has grossed approximately $3 billion globally.
Avatar: The Way of Water will be three hours and 10 minutes long, according to The Hollywood Reporter.