The production of "Avatar: The Way of Water" faced significant challenges and delays due to its ambitious nature. James Cameron initially announced two sequels in 2010 but expanded the project to include a total of five films. One of the major hurdles was the need to develop new technology for underwater performance capture scenes, a groundbreaking feat never before attempted in filmmaking. These technical innovations, along with the complexity of the project, led to extensive delays in the film's release. The filming process spanned three years, with an estimated budget ranging from $350 to $460 million, making it one of the most expensive films ever made.