Yahoo Finance One thing the two top-grossing films in history have in common
If you’re a mega studio looking to make a buck, there’s one Hollywood actress that could be your lucky charm.
While James Cameron’s Avatar has been stripped of its box office record by Avengers: Endgame, the news won’t come too hard for actress Zoe Saldana, who appears in both blockbuster hits.
As of the weekend, the Marvel blockbuster had scored an estimated US$2.79 billion (US$3.96 billion) within just 13 weeks, breaking Avatar’s 10-year record.
Avatar has earned a total US$2.789 billion since its release.
“Historic heights” for Avengers: Endgame
“A huge congratulations to the Marvel Studios and Walt Disney Studios teams, and thank you to the fans around the world who lifted Avengers: Endgame to these historic heights,” Alan Horn, co-chairman and chief creative officer of the Walt Disney Studios, said.
“Of course, even with the passage of a decade, the impact of James Cameron’s Avatar remains as powerful as ever, and the astonishing achievements of both of these films are ongoing proof of the power of movies to move people and bring them together in a shared experience.”
Actor Chris Hemsworth shared the news on Instagram, thanking all the Marvel fans who watched the film for taking it to “historic heights”.
Saldana also celebrated the news, sharing on Instagram her pride at being part of both films.
“I guess congratulations are in order,” she said.
“Proud of being a part of the two highest grossing films of all time!”
Avengers: Endgame was expected to make between US$260 million and US$300 million in its first week of screenings in the US and Canada, but overshot that spectacularly, making US$350 million.
Marvel unveils new movies, TV series to come
The news coincided with Marvel unveiling its next film and television stage at San Diego Comic Con over the weekend.
In a (SPOILER) post-Iron Man (Robert Downey Junior) and Captain America (Chris Evans) cinematic universe, Marvel has turned to the diminishing pool of Hollywood mega-weights to bring in the extra star-power needed to fuel phase four of its story.
A slew of new movies and television series will hit screens over the next two years, including ETERNALS, which will star Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Salma Hayek and Kumail Nanjiani.
Mahershala Ali will join the Marvel Cinematic Universe on the silver screen for the first time, after appearing in Marvel Netflix series Luke Cage.
Ali will take on the titular role in the upcoming reboot of Blade.
Related story: Revealed: The superheroes making Marvel the most money
Former accountant Simu Liu and Awkwafina will also join Marvel for upcoming film, Shang-Chi. In this film, Shang-Chi (Liu) will face off against the Ten Rings crime organisation.
This film is also rumoured to be filmed in Sydney.
Natalie Portman will take on the role of female Thor in upcoming film, Thor: Love and Thunder, directed by Taika Waititi who helmed the stratospherically successful Thor: Ragnarok.
Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson will also be on board.
Related story: Is Disney going to open a MARVEL theme park?
And although there was no official Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 announcement at Comic Con, director James Gunn took to Twitter to confirm that the film - set to star Saldana - will happen once he is finished making The Suicide Squad sequel.
But even with this artillery of films ready to fire, Marvel may not be able to rest easy: Cameron is planning to release the first Avatar sequel in 2021, again starring Saldana.
Avengers: Endgame may have to look out.
Make your money work with Yahoo Finance’s daily newsletter. Sign up here and stay on top of the latest money, news and tech news.
