#INTERVIEW: THE CAST OF “AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER”

By Mr. Will Wong

Following the historic success of James Cameron’s AVATAR, which went on to gross $2.9 billion worldwide, fans have been holding-out for a worthy successor film. The wait is almost over with AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER finally arriving in theatres this weekend. Set a decade after the events of its predecessor, the Sequel sees the Sully family forced from their home when an ancient threat surfaces, leaving them no choice but to go to war against the humans.

Toronto was fortunate enough to host the Film’s Canadian Premiere with the blue carpet rolled-out at Scotiabank Theatre.

The Film’s new generation of stars were in attendance, including:

Jamie Flatters (Neteyam, the oldest Sully child)
Trinity Bliss (Tuktirey, the youngest Sully child)
Jack Champion (Spider, a human child left behind on Pandora as a toddler)
Bailey Bass (Tsireya, Metkayina clan, Ronal and Tonowari’s daughter)
Filip Geljo (Aonung, Metkayina clan, Ronal and Tonowari’s son)

We ask Trinity Jo-Li Bliss about her character, Tuk and her importance to the story.

Bliss: “I play Tuk and she has a really big heart, she’s really curious and she loves her family – the most important thing to her. She’ll do anything to fight for them.”.

Bliss walked away from the Film with a renewed appreciation of the importance of protecting the earth.

Bliss: “Our set was so environmentally-friendly. We had plant-based catering, we had our Avatar mugs that the water dispensed water into – you know, The Way of Water. The set opened my eyes to ways that we can do better for our earth. Just like Jake (Sam Worthington) and Ney’tiri (Zoe Saldana) protecting their Pandora, we need to protect our earth and not only come together to protect our earth when it’s in trouble.”.

Though Jack Champion has never been to Toronto before, he did film SCREAM VI in Montreal. He has fond memories.

Champion: “The food here is amazing. You guys have great Italian food and Tim Hortons – the #1 coffee place. I honestly love it because I had it in Montreal. We had it right across the street where I was staying every morning. What is it, I had the Justin Bieber … oh yes, the Timbiebs!”.

He tells us more about his character Spider, who is an orphan.

Champion: “I play Spider and he is a human. He’s born and raised in Hell’s Gate (the human base on Pandora), but orphaned after the humans get their butts kicked. He grew-up along with the Na’vi and the Sully family. Spider‘s always wanted a family – that’s his #1 goal, even if he’s not fully accepted. That’s why when humans come back, it unleashes a whole new can of worms, untangling a whole web of problems.”.

Jamie Flatters tells us about his role as Neteyam, the eldest son in the Sully family. This being his first time in Toronto, he has plans to hit-up Kensington Market and Queen Street West in his short time here.

Flatters: “I play Neteyam, who’s the son of Jake and Ney’tiri . He’s part of the family unit which unfortunately gets forced out of their home, and he has to keep the family ideal alive.”.

He tells us the greatest lesson he took away from his time on-set.

Flatters: “A strong moral idea of responsibility at a young age is actually a good thing, but don’t take it too far. Be easy on yourself.”.

Bailey Bass is a proud New Yorker, but actually really excited to see tomorrow’s expected snow storm. She tells us about her character.

Bass: “I play Tsireya who’s part of the Metkayina clan. She’s a strong free diver who has a big heart and is super-kind. She teaches the Sullys the way of the water.”.

With the Film focusing so much on the new generation, Bass tells us what this means to her.

Bass: “I think it means a lot to me. We’re showing the characters in ways that have never been seen before. I think a lot of characters are going to feel seen in these characters in a way that’s never been done.”.

See highlights and our Chats here:

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20th Century Studios Canada release AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER (available in 3D) Friday, December 16, 2022.

Review here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)