Just a day before its global premiere, James Cameron's blockbuster sequel, 'Avatar: Fire and Ash', faces a potential piracy crisis. Unverified reports circulating on social media suggest that low-quality clips from the highly anticipated film have surfaced on illegal websites.
Alleged Leak Details and Source
According to multiple social media posts, the leaked footage appears to be camcorder recordings or other pirated prints. It is speculated that these clips may have been captured during early screenings or preview shows. No official confirmation has been issued by the studio regarding the authenticity of these leaks. This incident follows a similar pattern from earlier this year when the film's trailer was also reportedly leaked online before its official launch.
Box Office Predictions Amidst Piracy Scare
Despite the piracy threat, industry projections for 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' remain overwhelmingly positive. The film is anticipated to dominate the global box office during its opening week and through the Christmas period. According to industry tracker Deadline, the film is expected to earn between $340 million and $380 million globally in its opening weekend.
While this figure would be lower than the $444 million opening of 'Avatar: The Way of Water' in 2022, it would still rank among the biggest openings of 2025. 'Fire and Ash' is projected to have the second-largest opening weekend of the year, trailing only behind 'Zootopia 2', which debuted with $560.3 million last month.
International Rollout and Key Markets
The film's international release began this week in major European and Asian markets like France, Germany, Italy, and South Korea. Markets including Australia, Brazil, and Mexico followed on Thursday. The global release culminates on Friday, December 19, with major territories like China, the UK, Japan, Spain, and India joining the slate.
Overseas collections are predicted to range from $250 million to $275 million, which is notably less than the $310 million international debut of 'The Way of Water'. Based on the performance of previous 'Avatar' films, the strongest overseas openings are expected from China, Germany, France, South Korea, the UK, Mexico, and India.
The timing of the alleged leak is particularly concerning given the film's massive budget and billion-dollar box office expectations. However, the enduring power of the 'Avatar' franchise and its immersive theatrical experience suggests that even with piracy, 'Fire and Ash' is poised for a monumental run at cinemas worldwide.
