James Cameron’s 2009 sci-fi epic Avatar has reclaimed its spot as the highest grossing film of all time over 2019’s Avengers: Endgame. Avatar previously held the crown for a decade with a gross of $2.7897 billion worldwide, which was beaten by Avengers: Endgame erning $2.7902 billion. If you’re wondering how a film that came out over a decade ago toppled the Avengers juggernaut, it’s all thanks to a re-release of Avatar in China. The re-release earned $3.5 million, pushing its total haul to $2.7926 billion. Avatar is once more the highest grossing film ever, landing comfortably at $2.802 billion.
Avatar producer Jon Landau said, “We are proud to reach this great milestone, but Jim and I are most thrilled that the film is back in theaters during these unprecedented times, and we want to thank our Chinese fans for their support, … We are hard at work on the next Avatar films and look forward to sharing the continuation of this epic story for years to come.”
Marvel Studios acknowledged Cameron’s win with a tweet, writing “Congratulations to @JimCameron, @JonLandau, and ALL of Na’vi Nation for reclaiming the box office crown! We love you 3000.”
Congratulations to @JimCameron ,@JonLandau , and ALL of Na'vi Nation for reclaiming the box office crown! We love you 3000. @OfficialAvatar pic.twitter.com/WlMWRcL15y
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) March 13, 2021
Of course, the real winner here is Disney, which acquired 20th Century Fox in the 2019 merger. Disney will now be raking in the profits from not only the MCU and the Star Wars universe, but the planned Avatar sequels as well.
💙 @MarvelStudios @Avengers https://t.co/T74gEwUWml
— James Cameron (@JimCameron) March 13, 2021
Many took to social media to congratulate Avatar and pour one out for Endgame:
Well it was fun while it lasted, but I am no longer an Executive Producer of the biggest grossing film of all time. Congrats to James Cameron & the #Avatar team! (And of course @zoesaldana, who is in kind of a no lose situation here).
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) March 13, 2021
Passing the gauntlet back to you… @JimCameron
Thanks for the beautiful art @bosslogic. pic.twitter.com/URSxUMzf8D
— Russo Brothers (@Russo_Brothers) March 13, 2021
Let’s just be gracious about Avatar vs Endgame. Avatar had an extended theatrical release and earned its viewers through new VFX technology and 3D and Endgame earned its viewers through capping off the first major saga in the biggest franchise of all time. There’s space for both. pic.twitter.com/CxrSJ8Vg79
— aaron ⬡ FATWS 6 DAYS (@vandawision) March 13, 2021
But let’s not lie: the real winner here is actress Zoe Saldana, who stars in both franchises. Saldana plays Na’vi warrior Neytiri in the Avatar films, and GOTG member Gamora in the MCU. That’s quite a feat in and of itself, but adding in her role as Uhura in the Star Trek films, Saldana may be the highest grossing actress of all time. All hail the queen.
Zoe Saldana, undisputed queen of the box office https://t.co/EGqSXOO8Oi
— ben mekler (@benmekler) March 13, 2021
Zoe Saldana watching Avatar and Avengers: Endgame go back and forth as the highest grossing movie of all time pic.twitter.com/Z1K7cHXCs6
— Binge Mode (@binge_mode) March 13, 2021
We know the real queen of the Box Office and that is @zoesaldana ❤️🔥#Avatar #Endgame #zoesaldana pic.twitter.com/pNQ25xeAoC
— Melanie | Dragons, Distance, Voices & Fire (@MelanieJESC) March 13, 2021
Zoe Saldana watching Avatar and Avengers beating each other pic.twitter.com/XhB1PxuAQ1
— mizge (@mihailo____) March 13, 2021
If there’s one thing Zoe Saldana is going to do, it’s act in a billion dollar franchise film. pic.twitter.com/wt7gxbUzUg
— 😩 (@attackofthehomo) March 8, 2021
It’s Zoe Saldana’s world, we’re just living in it.
(via Variety, featured image: 20th Century Fox/Disney)
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Published: Mar 13, 2021 01:56 pm