Avatar star Sam Worthington reveals why he didn’t interact with one key cast member during sequel filming

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The first Avatar movie was released 16 years ago. How would you describe its impact on your life?

Let me tell you, when I first started in this business, I was just 31. Now, at 49, my life completely changed after ‘Avatar’ hit. Honestly, nothing can truly prepare you for the whirlwind that is Hollywood. It’s all about weathering the storm and learning on the job. The tough part? You’re doing it all under a very bright, and often unforgiving, spotlight.

James Cameron has a reputation for being demanding. What’s he like to work with?

Jim is an exceptionally talented acting director – truly the best I’ve ever worked with. He’s incredibly detail-oriented, which makes a huge difference. While his films are known for their impressive visuals, he always ensures the actors deliver heartfelt and genuine performances, giving the movies real emotional depth. I feel lucky to have him as both a friend and a mentor. Working with Jim sets a very high standard, and it’s tough to go back to other projects after experiencing his level of direction.

With the release of The Way of Water, many people questioned if audiences were still interested in the Avatar franchise. Were you concerned about that?

I have complete faith in my boss. History is full of examples of sequels surpassing expectations – people once doubted ‘Aliens’ could live up to ‘Alien,’ or that ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ could be better than ‘The Terminator.’ That’s just Jim’s style – he consistently delivers surprises.

Neteyam, Jake Sully’s oldest son, died in ‘The Way of Water.’ How does Jake cope with this loss and how does it impact his actions in ‘Fire and Ash’?

Everyone is still reeling from the recent events. The film delves into the difficulty of maintaining relationships and cherishing what’s important when life falls apart. Jake reverts to what feels familiar – his military background. While he doesn’t want conflict, it’s the only way he knows how to cope with his intense feelings and find a path forward.

You’re the father of three boys. Was it a challenge to tap into every parent’s worst nightmare?

Filming both sequels at the same time was really helpful. Because we shot Neteyam’s death early, we were able to use the genuine emotion from that scene throughout the rest of the film, especially in ‘Fire and Ash’. You can’t fake grief convincingly – it would make the movie overly depressing. Instead, we focused on showing how the characters move forward and recover.

Jake’s nemesis in Fire and Ash is Oona Chaplin’s ferocious Varang. What’s their dynamic?

You know, I initially felt like I was only interacting with Varang, not really getting to know Oona as a character. It became clear yesterday that Oona has a very specific approach – she fully commits to being that darker presence, and deliberately keeps a distance. Honestly, I really respected that choice! It’s what creates such compelling tension and animosity between the two of them, and it totally works.

For The Way of Water, you all had to train in free-diving. Was learning anything for Fire and Ash as difficult as that?

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2025-12-01 18:05