Marvel gracefully accepts box office defeat by James Cameron’s Avatar

It makes no difference to Disney

Marvel Studios has congratulated James Cameron on reclaiming the ultimate box office feat.

FollowingAvatar’s re-release in China, the 2009 blockbuster became the highest-grossing film of all time once again having been knocked from the top spot by Avengers: Endgamein 2019.

At the time, Cameron took the news in his stride, congratulating Marvel Studios but also stating that he believes Avatar would reign victorious again at some stage in the future.

“I think it’s a certainty,” he told USA Today, adding: “But let’s give Endgame their moment and let’s celebrate that people are going to the movie theatre.”

Read more: Avatar 2 star thinks new film will beat Avengers to become highest-grossing film ever

He wasn’t wrong. The re-release means that Avatar’s overall global box office haul sits at an estimated $2.802bn (£2.012bn) next to Endgame‘s $2.797bn (£2.009bn).

Marvel congratulated “all of the Na’vi Nation” for “reclaiming the box office crown”, and, in a reference toEndgame, added: “We love you 3000.”

The film’s directors Anthony and Joe Russo, wrote:“Passing the gauntlet back to you.”

Marvel congratulated ‘Avatar’ after it reclaimed ‘Avengers: Endgame’ as most successful film of all time (Twitter)

Of course, the ranking means nothing to Disney who, following a merger with Fox in 2019, owns both films.

Avatar 2 will be released on 22 December 2022. It’s the first of four planned sequels.