Avatar has seen several re-releases since the film’s initial debut in 2009, with its most recent venture to the theater occurring in 2019. Avengers: Endgame was released three years ago, eventually knocking Avatar from the #1 spot at the all-time global box office. 20th Century Studios wouldn’t take the second spot for long, as a re-release came later that year, reclaiming the #1 spot the film held for ten years.
Now, Avatar is headed back to theaters. However, it isn’t for a place in cinematic history. Instead, Cameron wants to promote the film ahead of the long-awaited sequel’s release. Avatar: The Way of Water is scheduled to arrive later this year, on Dec. 16, and the studio is looking to recoup the rumored $250 million budget spent on producing the film. It’s been 13 years since Avatar first arrived in theaters, and the team behind Way of Water wants to ensure audiences remember the movie exists while piquing fans’ interest ahead of the sequel.
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The Avatar re-release, scheduled for Sept. 23, won’t include any extra scenes or VFX improvements. However, the film will be upgraded with a stunning 4K HDR transfer, allowing the world of Pandora to be brighter and more immaculate than ever before. Some improved crystal clear visuals are shown in the trailer, which was released on the official Avatar YouTube channel earlier today, Aug. 23.
Avatar starred Sam Worthington in the lead role alongside Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, Stephen Lang, Giovanni Ribisi, and Joel David Moore. The sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water, is set to bolster this ensemble cast even further, adding Michelle Yeoh, Kate Winslet, Jemaine Clement, Oona Chaplin, Edie Falco, and Cliff Curtis to the team. The Way of Water will arrive in theaters on Dec. 16, with the Avatar re-release coming next month on Sept. 23.
Avatar is Removed From Disney+ Ahead of the Re-Release
20th Century Studios
Disney is looking to make all the money they can from the Avatar re-release, and the company has decided to eliminate the option of streaming the film one month before its arrival back in theaters. According to reports, the movie, which is currently the highest-grossing film of all time, was recently removed from the streaming service to fans’ displeasure.
Avatar first made its way to the service after Disney acquired Fox, and fans believed they would be able to watch the film from the comfort of their homes before the release of Avatar: The Way of Water in December. However, that won’t be the case as 20th Century Studios, and Disney will be hoping for a big turnout at the theater on Sept. 23 for the re-release.
For now, there’s no word on when Avatar will return to Disney+. However, don’t expect the film to make its way back to the platform anytime before the Sept. 23 re-release date.
