Sigourney Weaver Steps Back Into Kiri’s World in Avatar Sequel
Sigourney Weaver returns as Kiri, the adopted Na’vi daughter of Jake and Neytiri, in Avatar: Fire and Ash. The acclaimed actress opens up about reuniting with James Cameron and the unique experience of embodying a teenager once again.
Sci-fi icon Sigourney Weaver is set to reprise her role as Kiri in the highly anticipated Avatar: Fire and Ash, arriving in theaters this December. Kiri, the adopted Na’vi daughter of Jake Sully and Neytiri, is the biological child of Dr. Grace Augustine’s Avatar, a character Weaver originally portrayed in the first film. This unique connection brings Weaver back to the franchise, this time stepping into the shoes of a teenager navigating the world of Pandora.
Reuniting With James Cameron
Weaver’s collaboration with director James Cameron spans decades, with their creative partnership beginning on Aliens in 1986 and continuing through the Avatar series. At a recent press event for the new film, Weaver reflected on the enduring nature of their working relationship.
“It ’s been one of the greatest gifts to work with James Cameron again and again and again,”
she shared. She described the challenge and excitement of returning to a teenage mindset, a period she remembers as particularly tough.
“I have to say that becoming a 14-year-old and getting back into that space, which for me was a challenging time, I’m so grateful that I know from the beginning that Jim has children, and this is also inspired by his life. And he loves his actors, and he gives us such a feeling of safety and encouragement in exploring every aspect of a scene.”
On-Set Atmosphere and Creative Process
Weaver also spoke about the atmosphere on set, comparing it to their earlier work together.
“We have a lot of fun,”
she said, recalling that the experience on Aliens was more intense and less lighthearted. Cameron himself chimed in,
“It was less fun, trust me.”
Despite the challenges, Weaver emphasized how much she values the opportunity to work repeatedly with the same director and team.
“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.”
Transforming Into Kiri
Cameron praised Weaver’s ability to fully inhabit her character, noting the transformation he witnessed during filming.
“You did it. When you walked into the Volume where we capture, you just were younger in spirit, in movement, and everything,”
he remarked.
“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 December 19. Until then, fans can look forward to a year packed with exciting new releases on the big screen.