Avatar sequels 'will be the most expensive movies of all time'

The combined budget of all four sequels is estimated to be at around $1 billion

Ah, Avatar.

A film that became the world's highest-grossing blockbuster and, yet, it still seems completely undecided as to whether people actually liked this film - never mind the concept of having to watch four more of the same.

Yes, like it or not, Avatar has just started production on a full quartet of sequels, all shooting back-to-back. Release dates have already been set, even, starting 18 December 2020, followed by 17 December 2021, 20 December 2024, and 19 December 2025.

Analysts estimate a total production cost of around $1 billion for the four films; for comparison, The Hobbit trilogy cost $675 million to make.

Already a formidable number, but 21st Century Fox head Lachlan Murdoch has now stated (via Variety) that the Avatar sequels "will be the most expensive movies of all time".

By how much will be the question. If the $1 billion number is correct, divided between the four films at $250 million each, then it's not an entirely inconceivable number, since Star Wars: The Force Awakens landed itself a $245 million budget.

However, the question remains whether excess always delivers in return, since box office headlines have become increasingly dominated by the successes of moderately budgeted outings (It only cost $35 million and has already raked in $553 million worldwide), with a few major blockbusters flopping hard.

But James Cameron's gamble isn't that much of a gamble at all if you take into account the reliability of international audiences, which have helped VFX-heavy films blossom where their US runs have slumped. Can that hold out for four films, though? We'll just have to see.

Follow Independent Culture on Facebook for all the latest on Film, TV, Music, and more.