Avatar: The Way of Water has an incredibly exciting finale, but it seems as if the film may have secretly ripped off one of James Cameron's previous films: Titanic. Telling the story of a fictional love triangle against the background of the real-life historical shipwreck, Titanic quickly became the highest-grossing film of all time when it released in 1997, only to be replaced by Cameron's next film, the original Avatar a few years later. Obviously, some of Cameron's previous works are expected to seep into Avatar: The Way of Water, but there's still a question regarding if the sequel's finale is a mere Titanic homage or a rip-off.
Avatar: The Way of Water is the long-awaited sequel to 2009's Avatar, the box-office smash hit that kicked off James Cameron's most successful franchise. Taking place several years after the original film, the sequel sees Jake Sully and his family leave the Omatikaya clan after the reincarnated avatar of Colonel Quaritch returns to Pandora. The fleeing Na'vi head eastward, running into the sea-dwelling Metkayina clan, and encounter all sorts of new wonders, such as the whale-like Tulkun, as well as new dangers, such as the RDA's Tulkun hunters.
Avatar: The Way Of Water's Similarities To Titanic
Avatar: The Way of Water's massive third act climax is an exhilarating ocean battle, with the Na'vi using various sea animals to attack the RDA ship that Col. Quaritch is holding several of Jake Sully's kids on. The grand finale of this battle starts once several sections of the ship explode, leading to the massive sea vessel sinking as a fierce battle between Jake, Neytiri, and Quaritch rages on. Considering that it is a James Cameron film that concludes with an interpersonal drama playing out as a ship sinks, it's almost impossible not to also think of James Cameron's Titanic, which ends almost the exact same way.
Although the premise of Avatar: The Way of Water's finale is incredibly similar to Titanic, the film also makes several choices that are almost identical to the Leonardo DiCaprio-led film. At one point, Neytiri and Tuk can be seen running through the hallways of the ship as water splashes in, with it being shot similarly to Titanic. There's even a scene where the Na'vi can barely keep their heads above the rising water, with Cameron using the same claustrophobic cinematography that is present all throughout Titanic's big sinking scene. Although the films tell very different stories, it's impossible not to draw parallels between Avatar: The Way of Water and Titanic.
James Cameron Repeated More Than Just Titanic
Although Titanic is the clearest film of James Cameron's Avatar: The Way of Water references, it's far from the only one. The final fight plays out similarly to the one in Terminator 2, with the battle being set against a background of burning steel while the two foes fight using chains and other metal objects. The film's villain, Col. Quaritch, is even kind of like the Terminator himself, acting as an almost unstoppable force with only one goal: killing Jake Sully.
The sequel also repeats another famous sequel, Aliens, with the RDA's giant mech suits being similar to the one Ripley wears. Even elements from The Abyss are lifted, with the film being known for its water-based environment and groundbreaking water effects. Avatar: The Way of Water is a love letter to James Cameron's previous films, referencing some of his greatest works, including Titanic.
