Avatar 2 now has a huge challenge to be the best sci-fi movie of 2022

Avatar 2 is finally set to release in December 2022, but another 2022 film could prevent it from being the best sci-fi movie of the year.
Avatar 2 is finally slated for release in December 2022, but there’s one major hurdle, in addition to a few smaller ones, that could prevent it from being the best sci-fi movie of the year. With the history and prestige behind the Avatar frankness, it would be easy to think that Avatar 2 could continue this after its release. However, thanks to various factors, including another sci-fi movie released in 2022, that might not be so easy.
Avatar 2 is the long-awaited James Cameron sequel Avatar, and should revolve around Jake Sully and Neytiri exploring Pandora after being forced out of their house. the original Avatar was a critical and financial success to the point that it not only became the highest-grossing film of all time, but even managed to reclaim the title with a re-release after being briefly dethroned by Avengers: Endgame. With all of this taken into account, it is quite easy to imagine that Avatar 2which is also directed by Cameron, will also achieve the same degree of critical acclaim.
There is a major obstacle that can hinder Avatar 2however, and this is Everything everywhere all at once. Not only Everything everywhere all at once explore the concept of the multiverse in an incredibly unique and innovative way, yet it uses it as a means to both explore the personalities and philosophies of its main characters and make statements about the meaning, or lack thereof, of life. The film was acclaimed by fans and critics alike, so it sets the bar high for Avatar 2 regarding what a sci-fi movie is capable of, especially when a common criticism of the original Avatar was that his story was derived from other films.
Something that could also hurt Avatar 2 that’s how long it took the franchise to move forward. Avatar was first published in 2009, so 2022 Avatar 2 taking thirteen years to release after numerous delays could lessen the anticipation a lot, and the fact that three more films are supposed to follow it over the next six years invites a degree of investment that people might not want to give. In comparison, a single film like Everything everywhere all at once may seem much more appealing because unlike Avatar 2the discussion won’t be bogged down by how the movie leads into a sequel.
Whether or not Avatar 2 will turn a profit isn’t really a question, as it’s hard to imagine it not performing well, but whether or not it can leave the same mark as its predecessor invites more debate for a variety of reasons. Not only the long lapse of time between Avatar and Avatar 2 have the potential to negatively affect perception, but with how creative and well-designed Everything everywhere all at once was, it is much more difficult for Avatar 2 establish itself as the best science fiction film of the year. All of that could easily change when the movie actually comes out, but it’s still a towering challenge nonetheless.