‘It’s something new': Sigourney Weaver, 73, exhilarated at playing 14-year-old Kiri in 'Avatar' sequel
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Most actresses in Hollywood's age-obsessed industry could only dream of pulling off what 'Alien' star Sigourney Weaver has – securing a job playing a character 59 years younger than her. In 'Avatar', Weaver played scientist Dr Grace Augustine who was subsumed into the Tree of Life at the end of the movie. However, because she was so important to James Cameron, he gave her the role of Kiri, a teenager, in the upcoming sequel 'Avatar: The Way Of Water'.
Weaver expressed her pleasure at playing the young Na'vi again, while also admitting that she didn't like how her character first looked, calling it "too neat and pretty." Finally, the actor and director decided for a less mature teenage Kiri. In an interview with Colider, Weaver described Kiri as a "typical adolescent" with a "deep love for all things in the world, creatures, plants, everything." It makes sense that she can't be overly attractive or tidy. The entire ensemble has praised Cameron's vision, and it is clear that it pays off in the breathtaking vistas of the next film.
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In an interview she gave to You Magazine, Weaver gave high praise to Cameron with whom she worked with him again on the sequel to 'Avatar', calling him "one of the most extraordinary, unique, and courageous directors ever." When approached about playing a 14-year-old, she said, "I thought 'Well, Jim is smart. If he thinks I can do this, let’s give it a whirl!' I don’t think John Wayne was asked to play a 14-year-old when he was in his 70s,’ she laughs. ‘It’s something new.’"
The 'Aliens' actress went on to recount a humorous conversation she had with Cameron while they were filming the sequel during which the director suggested that she plays a 14-year-old because she is so "immature." Weaver said, "It was a great privilege to be able to play this fantastic character who bridges these different worlds. It’s also nice reuniting with an old friend. He said, ‘I know you can do this, because you really are immature; you are a 14-year-old.’"
"I would say the same thing about him. He may be 16 years old. He teases me quite a bit, but I also trust him. He always knew what he needed and took the time to get us there. He listens to his actors. He really wants us to weave ourselves together with our characters," she added.
Weaver is also set to star in a number of other movies like 'Call Jane' and 'The Good House' but it is reasonable to say that 'Avatar' will get the most attention out of her current backlog of projects. The movie marks Weaver's third collaboration with filmmaker Cameron; their first was 1986's 'Aliens', the space horror sequel to Ridley Scott's 'Alien', in which Weaver was given a role that was initially intended for a man. Cameron made the choice to make Weaver the center of attention, and her performance is still the gold standard for any action star.
'Avatar: The Way of Water', which is set 10 years after the events of the first movie details the Sully family's difficulties. The family will go to any lengths to protect one another, and together they struggle to protect the entire tribe from the fury of humans. Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana reprise their roles as Jake Sully and Neytiri in the film. The movie will hit the theatres on December 16.