The Town with Matthew Belloni Part 2: James Cameron on ‘Avatar 4’ and ‘5,’ Movie Biz Fears, 3D, Netflix, and Aliens
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Nov 24, 2025 
James Cameron, the visionary director behind the Avatar franchise, shares his insights on the film industry’s evolution. He discusses the daunting costs of blockbuster productions and the impact of COVID and streaming on theatrical experiences. With frankness, he tackles why 3D technology never became mainstream. Cameron also dives into his relationship with Disney, the future of sequels, and his strong belief in the existence of extraterrestrial life. Plus, hear anecdotes about fellow filmmakers and the art of storytelling.
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Theatrical Is Now An Event Economy
- COVID and streaming shifted audience habits toward convenience and away from theatrical events.
- That contraction narrows what studios will greenlight and threatens big VFX-driven films' future.
Streaming Buyers Could Hollow Theatrical Power
- Selling a major studio like Warner to a streamer risks converting a theatrical major into a digital-only player.
- That accelerates theatrical decline and undermines the industry's ability to fund big films.
VFX Cost Curve Threatens Big Films
- Big imaginative films require rising VFX investment which collides with shrinking greenlight appetite.
- When VFX costs outpace affordability, those films simply stop being made.
