Sigourney Weaver Steps Back Into Kiri’s World in Avatar Sequel
Sigourney Weaver returns as Kiri in Avatar: Fire and Ash, reuniting with James Cameron and reflecting on the unique challenge of portraying a teenager once more.
Sci-fi icon Sigourney Weaver is set to reprise her role as Kiri, the adopted Na’vi daughter of Jake Sully and Neytiri, in the much-anticipated Avatar: Fire and Ash. Kiri, the offspring of Dr. Grace Augustine’s Avatar, brings Weaver back to the franchise after her original turn as Augustine in the first instalment. The film, helmed by James Cameron, is due to arrive in cinemas this December.
Weaver’s collaboration with Cameron is hardly new territory. Their creative partnership stretches back decades, including their celebrated work on Aliens in 1986, as well as the previous Avatar films. This enduring professional relationship has clearly left a mark on both parties.
Returning to Pandora and Revisiting Youth
At a recent press event for Avatar: Fire and Ash, Weaver spoke candidly about the experience of working with Cameron once again and the peculiar challenge of embodying a teenager at this stage in her career.
“It’s been one of the greatest gifts to work with James Cameron again and again and again,”
she remarked, reflecting on the trust and encouragement she receives from the director. Weaver noted that stepping into the mindset of a 14-year-old was no small feat, especially as adolescence was, in her words, a rather challenging period.
She expressed gratitude for Cameron’s understanding, mentioning his own experiences as a parent and the inspiration he draws from his family life.
“He loves his actors, and he gives us such a feeling of safety and encouragement in exploring every aspect of a scene,”
Weaver added, highlighting the supportive environment on set.
On-Set Atmosphere and Creative Bonds
Weaver contrasted the atmosphere on Avatar with her earlier work on Aliens, recalling that the latter was a far more intense and less playful experience.
“On Aliens, we didn’t really have fun because we were really up against it, but that wasn’t our fault.”
Cameron, present at the event, interjected with a wry,
“It was less fun, trust me.”
Despite the pressures of blockbuster filmmaking, Weaver described her ongoing collaboration with Cameron as a true artistic gift.
“To have the opportunity to come back and work with Jim again and again, it’s just been the greatest artistic present, and it was always my greatest goal, even when I started out, was to work with the same people again and again. I just thought that sounded nice and normal. And, of course, we’re not in a normal world, but I feel so safe that I was able to not play a teenager, but really find my teenager again. And so thank you.”
Cameron’s Perspective and Weaver’s Transformation
Cameron himself was quick to praise Weaver’s ability to inhabit the role of Kiri.
“You did it. When you walked into the Volume where we capture, you just were younger in spirit, in movement, and everything,”
he observed, noting the remarkable transformation she underwent for the part. He went on to say,
“I don’t even know how aware of that you were. And, of course, you weren’t playing somebody who was having a happy teenage life. You were remembering and sort of re-channeling a tough time in your life, but you were younger. I don’t mean like two years younger. I mean like 40 years younger. It was amazing.”
Avatar: Fire and Ash is set to premiere on 19 December, promising to be a highlight for fans of the series and those eager to see Weaver’s latest turn in the world of Pandora.