It looks like "Avatar: The Way of Water" isn't doing as well as expected.
Disney said in a statement that it was likely to make between $130 million and $150 million in the US on its opening weekend, less than the $150 million it had originally predicted.
The film had a purse of $135 million from its opening weekend in the US and Canada according to sources.
Shawn Robbins predicted earlier this month that the movie would bring in between $167 million and $192 million.
It still makes 'Avatar' sequel the seventh-highest-grossing December opening weekend in history, but marks a lower take than 'Black Panther' which took in $181 million earlier this year
It costs $350 million to make the film. Variety reported that James Cameron said it would need to take in more than $2 billion to break even.
Disney took control of the rights to "Avatar" after it acquired Fox.
Despite failing to live up to initial hopes, the opening weekend of "Avatar 2" still represents a sizeable intake, outdistancing the opening of "Top Gun: Maverick"
"The Way of Water" is expected to hold its own over several months with the expectation that positive audience reviews will cushion the week to week decreases experienced by other franchises.
Despite going on to become the highest-grossing movie of all time with a $2.9 billion take, the original "Avatar" was a flop on its opening weekend in 2009, according to Business Insider.
Disney did not reply to Insider's request for comment.
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