‘Star Wars Episode VIII’ Won’t Compete Against ‘Avatar 2’ This Christmas

Star Wars Episode VIII has been pushed back seven months from its original July 2017 release date. This news surprised the world, as fans are salivating for the next episode in this saga. The film has been pushed back and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales has been moved up to the July 7, 2017 slot. Once the date change took place, there was concern since pushing back Star Wars Episode VIII to the new December 17 release date would have the film go head-to-head with James Cameron’s Avatar 2. The holiday release date (of December 25) was originally locked in for the second installment of Avatar, but TheWrap states the film has been delayed past 2017. Star Wars and Disney studios would definitely feel some pressure going head to head with the world’s top grossing movie of all time, but considering the Avatar theme park attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, it seemed that Disney was in on the decision.

The Avatar sequel will see Sigorney Weaver, Zoe Saldana, and Sam Worthington return (as they have signed on for a trilogy). The film is expected to pick up where it left off. Now, the studio has not commented on the Avatar 2 delay, nor is there an official release date. Cameron has been known to move at his own pace, and if a film is not ready, he has no problems delaying his projects. He is usually very involved in every aspect of his films, which could be the cause of things slowing down. TheWrap also claims the Cameron recently dropped the ‘bad news’ about the delay.

“The Academy Award winner behind Titanic and The Terminator dropped the bad news for fans hoping to see the first of three new movies in 2016 while promoting the local film industry in Wellington, New Zealand with Hobbit director Peter Jackson. Cameron filmed the 2009 blockbuster there, and has returned to produce the three sequels, which will be released over three consecutive years.”

From this announcement, there has been no news on an official release. In fact, there is no information on when any of the sequels will be released. Right now, things are up in the air, and the studio has been tight-lipped.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is the third highest-grossing film at the global box office, and number one at the domestic box office with $1.9 billion. This is a considerable amount of box office earnings, and it sits right behind two James Cameron films, Titanic at 2.2 billion globally, and the first Avatar, at 2.8 billion globally. Star Wars may not have done as well globally as initially expected. For example, in China, its been documented by China Film Insider that the 18-30 demographic is not as attached to the Star Wars franchise nostalgia as the young people in North America. Avatar, however, is an original film that explored new movie technology and new, three-dimensional concepts, which seemed to attract a wider audience. This is the reason why Star Wars verses Avatar may not end in a full box office sweep for Disney.

Star Wars won’t go head-to-head with Avatar, according to ComingSoon.net. This is a good deal for the production companies. The best-case scenario for them would be for Star Wars and Avatar to alternate years. That means, every single December movie fans will have something to look forward to. Separating itself from Star Wars only helps Avatar to revitalize the franchise, and get fans excited about “Avatar World” at Disneyland. But, what if Star Wars and Avatar 2 were to compete next December? Scott Mendelson at Forbes has an interesting observation about the possibility.

“If a head-to-head showdown does happen at the end of 2017, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Star Wars dominate in America while Avatar kicks a little bit more butt overseas. So in that sense, they both win.”

What do you think the outcome would be if Star Wars Episode VIII and Avatar 2 had no choice but to compete? Who do you think would come out the winner?