The long-anticipated release of James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water is finally here, opening to a largely successful box office run in its first weekend. The film picks up a bit further down the timeline than where the first film leaves off, with Jake Sully and Neytiri’s oldest children quickly growing from infancy to their late teenage years in the first few sequences. The story follows the family as their world is turned upside down once again by “the Sky People”, and are forced to flee their forest home and adapt to life with a sea-dwelling clan. The film pushes the limits of cinematic technology, taking the viewer along for riveting rides through this heretofore unexplored side of Pandora.
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This second installment in the franchise has opened to mixed reviews, with critics praising the cutting-edge cinematography while wishing for a bit more dimension to the characters’ psychology and development. With thirteen years passing since the release of the first Avatar, fans may want to refresh their memory of the world and characters they will spend three hours with in theaters. Here is a guide on the cast and characters of Avatar:The Way of Water.
Jake Sully / Sam Worthington
20th Century Studios
Having been a newcomer to Hollywood when the first Avatar hit theaters, Sam Worthington comes to the silver screen again to reprise his iconic character, Jake Sully. In Avatar, Jake Sully is a paraplegic ex-marine who is given the opportunity to infiltrate Pandora via an avatar intended for his late twin brother. Falling in love with not only the world of Pandora but with the Na’vi people, and one Na’vi woman in particular, Sully defies his orders and betrays his species in order to defend his new home and people.
Neytiri / Zoe Saldana
The fierce warrior and chosen mate of Jake Sully is back, once again portrayed by Zoe Saldana’s captivating performance. The power of her emotional acting is captured in the CGI renderings of the Na’vi, given the overlay of the animation over the actor’s live action performances. In the sequel, Neytiri is as strong as ever while also lovingly nurturing their growing brood. Throughout the film she evokes the tender burdens of motherhood, which no doubt weigh on the character’s shoulders as her family experiences difficult transitions.
Kiri / Sigourney Weaver
In one of the most surprising and exciting casting choices, Sigourney Weaver returns to the franchise, but playing a different character entirely. This time, she plays the mysteriously conceived daughter of her previous character. In playing Kiri, the teenage daughter of scientist Grace Augustine, Weaver taps into the memory of her own adolescence to essentially turn back the clock on herself and convincingly portray a teenager.
Ronal / Kate Winslet
Kate Winslet gives life to Ronal, the wife of the tribe leader of the Metkayina. Despite being pregnant, she never wavers in her resolve to fight for her family and land, even insisting she will ride to battle. Winslet provided insight on the rigorous and physically demanding filming process, explaining how she held her breath for seven minutes during a take.
Colonel Quaritch / Stephen Lang
The villain is back! The consciousness of the fallen Colonel is transferred into an avatar, giving the ruthless invader a new lease on life. He promptly resumes his mission to invade Avatar, except this time with an intensified hunger for vengeance. Stephen Lang reprises his role, with a distinctly different look.
Tonowari / Cliff Curtis
Cliff Curtis appears as the chief of the Metkayina. To his wife’s reluctance, he chooses to allow the Sully family to take refuge with their tribe. Tensions build between his son Aonung and Sully’s son Lo’ak. Regardless, the chief is wise and fair as war follows the Sully family to their new home.
Neteyam / Jamie Flatters
Jamie Flatters plays Neteyam, the oldest son of Jake Sully and Neytiri. As the oldest son, he holds the responsibility of modeling good behavior for his younger siblings. This proves challenging as their father in particular balances between fathering and leading soldiers.
Lo’ ak / Britain Dalton
Played by Britain Dalton, Lo’ak is the willful but well-meaning second son of Jake and Neytiri. Throughout the film he brings heart to film as he lives up to his father’s bravery, but not necessarily his expectations.
Tuk / Trinity Jo-Li Bliss
The adorable youngest daughter, Tuk, is played by young actress Trinity Jo-Li Bliss. Tuk is an adventurous and brave little girl, further highlighting how heartbreaking the inhumane treatment of the Na’vi is by humans that see them as their lessers.
Tsireya / Bailey Bass
Emerging from the sea as the alluring siren-like love interest for Lo’ak, Bailey Bass plays Tsireya, the daughter of the Metkayina chief. Notably, the Metkayina have a different look to the forest-dwelling people of Neytiri, introducing a greater diversity to the world of Pandora.
Aonung / Filip Geljo
As the son of the Metkayina chief, Filip Geljo plays a passionate parallel to Lo’ak. Like Lo’ak, who he initially distrusts and is hostile toward, Aonung seeks to protect his family while defying what is expected of him.
