‘Avatar’ Can ‘Take More Risks’ Than Marvel Movies Because Lack of Studio and Fan Pressure, Says Sam Worthington: ‘It’s Not Like We Have to Get Scenes Completed by Today’ or Execs Get Upset

Mar 31, 2026 1:40pm PT ‘Avatar’ Can ‘Take More Risks’ Than Marvel Movies Because Lack of Studio and Fan Pressure, Says Sam Worthington: ‘It’s Not Like We Have to Get Scenes Completed by Today’ or Execs Get Upset

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Zack Sharf

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“Avatar” star Sam Worthington recently spoke to The Independent and said James Cameron‘s record-breaking movie series does not face the same studio pressures as other Hollywood mega-franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Three movies in, the “Avatar” franchise has grossed $6.7 billion and counting in theaters worldwide. The 2009 original remains the highest-grossing film of all time, while 2022’s “The Way of Water” is third on the list.

“We’re unlike Marvel movies, in the sense of… it feels like an independent movie when we make it,” Worthington said. “We don’t have outside pressures, or expectations from the press, or the studio, or the community. It doesn’t affect what we do. And that’s why we can take more risks.”

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