好莱坞最“烧钱”导演，跻身福布斯亿万富豪行列

Core Insights - James Cameron, despite the low pre-sale performance of "Avatar: The Way of Water" in China, has become the world's richest director with an estimated net worth of $1 billion, primarily from his film earnings [2][4][5]. Group 1: Career Achievements - Over a 40-year career, Cameron's films have grossed nearly $9 billion globally, with significant contributions from "Titanic" and the "Avatar" series [2][12]. - Cameron is part of an elite group of Hollywood billionaires, including George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, achieving this wealth primarily through his film successes rather than external business ventures [4][5]. - His films have consistently pushed the boundaries of technology and storytelling, leading to high expectations for box office performance [8][17]. Group 2: Financial Insights - Forbes estimates that Cameron's earnings from the first "Avatar" film alone exceed $350 million, with additional income from merchandise and theme park rights [15]. - If "Avatar: The Way of Water" meets its box office expectations, Cameron could earn at least $200 million in the coming months [5]. - Cameron's financial strategy often involves taking risks, such as investing his own money to ensure high production quality, which has historically paid off with substantial box office returns [12][13]. Group 3: Future Prospects - Cameron has plans for a fourth and fifth "Avatar" film, contingent on the financial success of the third installment [17][18]. - His commitment to innovation in filmmaking continues, as seen in the development of new underwater filming technologies for the "Avatar" sequels [17].