Avatar: Fire and Ash is finally coming to theaters, and James Cameron’s third film in the Avatar franchise promises to be the director’s biggest showing yet. Returning to Pandora, Fire and Ash picks up right where Avatar: The Way of Water left off. Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) are still reeling after the loss of their son, Neteyam (Jamie Flatters), and now live with the Metkayina clan with their children after being forced to leave their home, thanks to the return of Quaritch (Stephen Lang). Fire and Ash sees Quaritch and the rest of the humans siding with a new sinister group of Na’vi called the Mangkwan clan.
But the Sully family has more to worry about than just this new adversary. The loss that fractured their family also means that there is new inner conflict within the family. Lo’ak (Britain Dalton) blames himself for his older brother’s death, while Neytiri’s resentment for Spider (Jack Champion) deepens after her loss. But notably, Kiri (Sigourney Weaver), their adoptive daughter, struggles with her special connection to the Pandoran god, Eywa. Collider spoke with Weaver, who originally played Kiri’s biological mother, Grace, about what it was like playing a much younger character and how she and Cameron approached the portrayal. We also discussed the physicality involved in playing a character attuned to Eywa, and what it was like pursuing Kiri’s burgeoning romance with Spider.
Sigourney Weaver Reveals What It’s Like Connecting to Her Inner Bratty Teenager “Her whole thing is how to make sense of a world that doesn’t make sense.”
COLLIDER: I just saw the movie last night — absolutely stunning. Beautiful, beautiful film. My first question is a question that I’ve had for a while, and I’m sure you’ve answered it before, but what is it like playing a 14-year-old?
SIGOURNEY WEAVER: When I was 14, I was really miserable. I was this tall when I was 11. I wasn’t comfortable in my own skin at all. I just remember it so vividly, which, of course, was a surprising help to me when Jim said, “Eh, you can play 14. You are 14!” And by the way, he is too. I think we bring it out in each other, where it’s all affectionate, but it is bratty, you know? But I had about a year, and I was able to access all the feelings I had, discomfort and self-consciousness. All those feelings I got to re-explore, and to my great surprise, forever, in a way, it’s been a very healing journey for me to play Kiri. Her whole thing is how to make sense of a world that doesn’t make sense. I think a lot of people should feel that, but I know the kids feel that.
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Posts 3 By Ross Bonaime Sigourney Weaver Explains Kiri’s Deep Connection With Eywa “…she’s not connected to Eywa, but somehow that world speaks to her.”
I think one of my favorite things about her arc is this journey of her finding this connection to the planet. What is it like playing out some of those scenes where she has these moments where she’s connected to Eywa, and her body is shaking, and she’s making that connection? What is it like physically playing those types of roles?
WEAVER: I guess the need is so great that she has no choice. She doesn’t have time to think about Eywa. She’s just got to do what her instincts are telling her to do. So I feel like there’s some loneliness in it because she’s not connected to Eywa, but somehow that world speaks to her. I don’t think she feels it gives her power. I think she’s able to take that power and do things with it, and it’s not something she really understands. I think it makes her actually really uncomfortable. She doesn’t really want to be that different, but she is, and I think she kind of is getting used to that in Fire and Ash. All the kids have come into their own, you know?
Weaver Breaks Down the Complexities of Kiri and Spider’s Romance “It was quite amazing.”
For sure. In this film, particularly, for Kiri and Spider, there is this burgeoning romance. What is that like for you playing opposite Jack [Champion] when you are in full mocap, and he is Jack?
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WEAVER: Well, of course, when we began, Jack was 12. I just remember our audition because we went into this room that had stairs and stuff. I don’t know where the camera was, but anyway, as soon as he walked in, I said, “Let’s do something,” as Kiri, and we just ran all over this room and jumped and squealed, and he was right there with me. It was quite amazing. So, I still see that Jack. I would like to say that when we got to a romantic moment that you might remember, even though I objected, there was an age-appropriate person with him and an age-appropriate person with me, and I was very glad in the film to see that it seemed absolutely natural and straightforward.
Avatar: Fire and Ash is now available in theaters.
7 10 Avatar: Fire and Ash Like Follow Followed PG-13 Science Fiction Adventure Fantasy Release Date December 19, 2025 Runtime 197 Minutes Director James Cameron 7 Images Close Cast See All Sam Worthington Jake Sully Zoe Saldana Neytiri Where to watch Close WHERE TO WATCH Streaming
Writers Amanda Silver, Rick Jaffa, James Cameron, Josh Friedman, Shane Salerno Producers Jon Landau, James Cameron, Brigitte Yorke, Jamie Landau, Maria Battle-Campbell Prequel(s) Avatar, Avatar: The Way of Water Franchise(s) Avatar Genres Science Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy Powered by Expand Collapse
