It has been thirteen years since James Cameron’sAvatar(2009) took theater-goers by storm. With innovations in cinematic technology, the team helped define what would be the future of cinema blockbusters. With a story detailing humanity’s highs and lows, there was a need for an epic cast to pull this opening salvo to an epic franchise together.
Here we are going to go over the cast that is being featured in the sequel to this epic film,Avatar: The Way of Water(2022). We will be covering what role they’re playing and notable parts they have played in the past. These may be roles that they are well known for or a role that can help them gain experience for the next step they are taking in their careers.
6Stephen Lang
Stephen Langhas a long resume of work dating back to 1985. In this film, he will be playing a strong, violent character with which he’s had plenty of experience, as he’s known for his work as Norman Nordstrom or “The Blind Man” intheDon’t Breatheduology. Stephen Lang has also performed in video games, having played Elias Walker inCall of Duty: Ghosts.
Stephen Lang is no stranger to theAvatarfranchise, having played the role of Colonel Miles Quaritch, playing a strong, antagonistic force against the native Na’vi. This role proved so impressive that Stephen Lang received a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor. He is set to reprise this role, despite thecharacter’s death in the first film.
5Cliff Curtis
Cliff Curtishas been working in Hollywood since the early ’90s. He has made appearances in films such asThe Last Airbender(2010), where he would play the role of Fire Lord Ozai. While that film would be met with much criticism, Cliff Curtis has appeared in well-received entries, such as when he played Jonah Hobbs inFast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shawand Billy Freeman inDoctor Sleep. One of his most well-known roles, however, would come on television inFear the Walking Dead.
Cliff Curtis will be taking on one of the more significant roles in this film, as he will be Tonowari, the leader of the new reef-people clan of Pandorans, known for their excellent skills in the water. Cliff Curtis has plenty of time in the water, as he’s alsoperformed as James “Mac” MackreidesinThe Meg(2019).
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4Kate Winslet
Kate Winsletwill be stepping up to another major franchise. The star-studded actress has been a part of theDivergentseries, taking on the antagonistic role of Jeanine Matthews. She’s also been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Rose DeWitt Bukater inTitanic(1997).
Kate Winslet will be taking on the role of Ronal, a member of the Metkayina. Kate Winslet had made early news of her role. With many of her scenes involving being deep underwater, Winslet set a record when she held her breath for over seven minutes while filming. It’s been noted that her character is one of the best free divers of the Metkayina clan.
3Sigourney Weaver
Sigourney Weaverhas seen a career resurgence after having it kickstarted in 1979 with the initialAlienmovie. After starring in one of the greatest science-fiction horror franchises as lead heroine Ellen Ripley, Weaver would go on to star in multiple major franchise projects, includingThe Defenders(playing the antagonist Alexandra Reid) and numerous appearances in theGhostbustersfilms(where she would play the role of assistant, Dana Barrett.)
Sigourney Weaver had performed in the firstAvatarfilm as Dr. Grace Augstine, a role in which she would earn the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress. While Dr. Grace Augustine would be a casualty of the epic final battle, Sigourney Weaver is set to return to the franchise as a new character. She will be playing Kiri, a Na’vi teenager that is taken in by Jake and Neytiri.
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2Zoe Saldana
The firstAvatarfilm was a rocket forZoe Saldana’s career, with the actresspicking up more impressive workafter her stellar performance in the film. In the thirteen years since the first film, Saldana has taken onroles such as Gamorain theGuardians of the Galaxyfranchise and is set to have a lead role in the upcoming Paramount Plus seriesLioness(2023).
Zoe will be reprising her role as Neytiri, though, in the time between films, Neytiri has become the new spiritual leader of the Na’vi. After the events of the first film, Neytiri learns to be a leader of her tribe and now fully trusts Jake Sully as her partner. Alongside him, Neytiri is set to protect her people as audiences begin seeing what the rest of Pandora has to offer.
1Sam Worthington
Sam Worthingtonhas had experience playing a serious action-hero character, though more people may know him for his work in video games than for his work on the big screen. Playing iconic war hero Alex Mason intheCall of Duty: Black Opsfranchise, Worthington has had the honors of leading a popular gaming franchise to record sales. He’s also played Captain Glover in the war filmHacksaw Ridge (2016).
Making his return to the franchise, Sam Worthington plays Jake Sully, a paraplegic U.S. Marine veteran who is taking the place of his twin brother in the RDA’s (Resources Development Administration) “avatar” program. Jake initially acted as a bodyguard but, over time, would grow closer to the Na’Vi and sides with them in the coming war. With new and old threats on the horizon, Jake must prove he is a capable leader as he prepares his people for survival.
