Sigourney Weaver’s return for James Cameron’s first Avatar follow-up surprised a lot of fans when it was originally confirmed. Weaver appeared in the first movie as Dr. Grace Augustine, the Avatar Program’s lead scientist. Unfortunately, Grace was mortally wounded and died before the Na’vi could permanently transfer her consciousness into her avatar body. Since then, viewers have come up with a wide variety of theories about how Grace could have survived the events of the first film. But it turns out Weaver isn’t playing Grace at all in Avatar: The Way of Water. In fact, she’s playing a brand new addition to the franchise. Sigourney Weaver’s New Role
The upcoming issue of Empire reveals that Weaver will return to Pandora this winter as Kiri, the adopted teenage daughter of Jake (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña). It’s highly unusual for an actor (even one as talented as Weaver) to be playing a teenager at 72 years old. Regardless, Weaver found a way to make it work.
“I think we all pretty much remember what we were feeling as adolescents,” said Weaver. “I certainly do. I was 5′ 10″ or 5′ 11” when I was 11. I felt strongly that Kiri would feel awkward a lot of the time. She’s searching for who she is. I was thrilled to be given that challenge by [Cameron].”
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Like most of her castmates, Weaver went through extensive training to prepare herself for the film’s underwater scenes. And according to Cameron, she perfectly captured her character’s youthful spirit during production.
“Sig thought it was all kinds of fun,” added Cameron. “Sigourney just became younger. She looked younger, she had more energy, and she never quite stepped out of Kiri for our whole capture period. She had a glow on her face and lightness in her step and a fun spirit.”
Avatar: The Way of Water will hit theaters on December 16.
How do you feel about Weaver playing Jake and Neytiri’s daughter in the movie? Tell us what you think in the comment section below!
Recommended Reading: James Cameron’s Avatar: Tsu’tey’s Path
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