As “Avatar: Fire and Ash” continues to break box office records, it is also serving as a catalyst for significant career milestones for the talent involved. James Cameron has made history by becoming the first director ever to have four consecutive films surpass the $1 billion mark globally.
Zoe Saldana, who stars as Neytiri, has also reached a remarkable achievement, now recognized as the highest-grossing actor of all time. With her significant roles in both the “Avatar” franchise and as Gamora in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), she has amassed a staggering $15.46 billion in box office revenue from her films, surpassing the previous record held by Scarlett Johansson, who earned $15.40 billion. Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Downey Jr. follow with totals of $14.6 billion and $14.3 billion, respectively.
In addition to these individual milestones, the original “Avatar,” released in 2009, remains the highest-grossing film of all time, with a lifetime gross of $2.9 billion. “Avatar: The Way of Water” ranks third with $2.3 billion, while “Avengers: Endgame,” featuring Saldana as Gamora, occupies the second spot, pulling in $2.7 billion.
“Avatar: Fire and Ash” continues to perform exceptionally well in its fourth weekend, adding $65.6 million internationally and $86 million globally, bringing its total earnings to $1.23 billion. The success of this latest installment further solidifies the franchise’s standing in cinematic history, suggesting that both Cameron and Saldana will continue to leave a lasting impact on the film industry.