Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock/Disney
Topics: Film and TV
Shiala Mahmood
Sigourney Weaver, 72, will be returning to Avatar in her new role as the adopted teenage daughter of Jake and Neytiri.
Fans were left confused when they learnt that Weaver would be appearing in Avatar: The Way of Water, as her character Dr. Grace Augustine died at the end of the first film.
However, Weaver is set to return for the sequel in a brand new role as a teenager, an unexpected role for the 72-year-old actress.
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Weaver is set to play a Na'vi character named Kiri, who is the adopted teenage daughter of Jake and Neytiri.
Despite being 72 years old, Weaver is excited by the challenge of playing a teenager.
Speaking about the new role, she said: "I think we all pretty much remember what we were feeling as adolescents. 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 [director James Cameron]."
Weaver previously worked with Cameron on Aliens and now the director has shared his thoughts on the actress' latest role.
Cameron said: "As an acting challenge, it's big. We’re gonna have a 60-something actor playing a character [decades younger than] her actual biological age. Sig thought it was all kinds of fun.”
In preparation for the role, Weaver workshopped with a group of teenage girl to channel her inner child.
Cameron added: "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.”
Details about the highly anticipated sci-fi sequel have been few and far apart, with Weaver's latest role being revealed on Friday, 1 July.
Weaver's role was unveiled with an image of the actress as a blue alien teenager and will appear in this month's issue of Empire Magazine.
The world exclusive issue gives fans the inside scoop on the long awaited sequel, with interviews from the cast and director.
Avatar: The Way of Water will see new adventures unfold in the unexplored Pandora oceans and will feature plenty of new creatures. Expectations are of course high, as its predecessor broke a number of records following its release in 2009.
The original Avatar movie became the highest grossing movie worldwide. It was also the fastest movie to gross $1 billion as well as the highest grossing in 3D and IMAX formats. It has since grossed around $2.85 billion across cinemas worldwide.
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