Zoe Saldaña on the Emotional Toll of Filming Avatar: Fire and Ash

Zoe Saldaña, celebrated for her roles in two of cinema’s most successful franchises, is set to return to the big screen in James Cameron’s much-talked-about Avatar: Fire and Ash. Having already helped the previous Avatar instalments break box office records, Saldaña is once again stepping into the shoes of Neytiri, a character that has become synonymous with her name.

Balancing Family and Filming

During a recent conversation about the upcoming science fiction sequel, Saldaña reflected on the personal difficulties she encountered while filming. As she was expanding her own family at the time, the emotional demands of portraying a mother who has suffered a profound loss proved particularly challenging. She shared,

On a personal level, I was expanding my family. So, to get to leave my babies at home and come to work and play a woman who had just buried one of her children, it was hard.

Her comments followed a question about the more sombre aspects of Neytiri’s journey in the new film, which Cameron himself has described as a family story. Saldaña and her husband, artist Marco Perego, are parents to three sons: Cy, Bowie, and Zen.

The Avatar Legacy and Star-Studded Cast

Saldaña will be joined by Sam Worthington, who reprises his role as Jake Sully, and Sigourney Weaver, returning as Kiri. The ensemble also features Stephen Lang, Kate Winslet, Oona Chaplin, and David Thewlis, among others. The Avatar franchise has become a cinematic phenomenon, with the original 2009 film and its 2022 sequel, The Way of Water, both achieving remarkable commercial and critical success. The third entry, Fire and Ash, is scheduled for release in December 2025.

Here’s a brief overview of the franchise’s journey so far: the first film, released in 2009, was produced by Lightstorm Entertainment, Dune Entertainment, and Ingenious Film Partner, earning an IMDb rating of 7.9/10 and an 81% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with box office takings of $2.9 billion. The 2022 sequel, The Way of Water, also produced by Lightstorm Entertainment, garnered a 7.5/10 IMDb rating, a 76% Rotten Tomatoes score, and $2.3 billion at the box office. The latest chapter, Fire and Ash, is poised to continue this legacy.

Motherhood in the Spotlight

Despite her high-profile career, Saldaña and her husband have largely kept their children out of the public gaze. She has spoken candidly about how her sons perceive her dual identity as both their mother and the formidable Gamora from Guardians of the Galaxy. In a 2022 interview, she remarked,

I see how he’s trying to place me in his mind like, ‘OK, you’re mama, but you’re also Gamora…They’re going to watch these films, and it’s going to be a part of what they like and what excites them. And the fact that that gives me street cred with my kids, it’s fun, it’s great.

Saldaña has also shared moments from set, including a photograph with her sons while she was in full Gamora makeup. She has acknowledged the difficulty of being away from her children due to work commitments, offering encouragement to other mothers pursuing their ambitions: “all the mums out there making the ultimate sacrifice for their dreams. Those dreams are their’s too! Trust the process…”

James Cameron’s Vision for the Big Screen

James Cameron, known for his innovative approach to filmmaking, continues to push boundaries with the Avatar series. The original film introduced audiences to 3D cinema, and Cameron remains committed to delivering a visually stunning experience. Ahead of the release of Fire and Ash, he addressed theatre technicians directly, stating,

Dear Theatre Technician, My team and I are very excited to deliver AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH, over to you, to present to the public.

Cameron provided detailed instructions regarding projection settings, ensuring that audiences will experience the film as intended. The much-anticipated Avatar: Fire and Ash is set to premiere on 19 December 2025.