The future of Avatar 4 remains uncertain, but one unexpected name has already raised his hand for the job.
Horror icon James Wan, director of franchises like Saw, The Conjuring, and Insidious, has publicly expressed interest in taking over the potential fourth chapter of James Cameron’s Pandora saga if it moves forward.
For now, Disney and James Cameron have not locked in a production plan for Avatar 4. Cameron has repeatedly hinted that after completing work on the third film, he might step away from directing future installments to focus on other projects.
That creative gap has sparked speculation about who could take over the director’s chair – and Wan has already volunteered. In an interview with Screen Rant, he joked, but quite seriously added:
“I haven’t had the chance to work on Avatar yet. If you could put in a good word for me with James Cameron, I’d happily give it a try.”
Although best known for reinventing modern horror, Wan is no stranger to large‑scale studio blockbusters. He directed Aquaman (2018), the only film in the troubled DC cinematic universe to cross the billion‑dollar mark at the global box office.
Meanwhile, Cameron is reportedly considering a compromise: he may formally remain credited as director on Avatar 4, while delegating much of the day‑to‑day work to a team of second‑unit and co‑directors. That approach would allow him to maintain creative control over the world of Pandora while freeing up time for new ideas.
Whatever decision Disney and Cameron ultimately make, Wan’s interest adds an unexpected twist to the conversation around the future of the franchise – and hints at a version of Avatar shaped by one of the most influential genre filmmakers of the 21st century.