It’s in all probability honest to say Sam Worthington doesn’t love doing interviews. So, two issues about that: first, that makes him a standard human being. Second, after I mentioned this to him straight, he mentioned that wasn’t fairly correct, however he does have a visceral response to it, and he feels overwhelmed. Once more, this additionally appears within the realm of “regular human being” habits, however I really feel protected standing by my authentic assertion. Now, granted, it is a “regular human being” who, as I sort, simply occurs to be the star of two of the three highest-grossing movies of all time, Avatar and Avatar: The Method of Water. So, regardless, right here he’s, speaking to me.
In Avatar: Fireplace and Ash, Worthington reprises his function of Jake Sully from the earlier two movies. It does really feel fairly foolish to offer a synopsis right here of who Jake Sully is, contemplating extra individuals have seen these films than every other films in current historical past. However, as you bear in mind, Jake, as soon as a human and now a Na’vi, led a profitable battle towards the “sky individuals” (i.e., us) whereas on the run with Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) and their youngsters. Within the newest installment, Jake is as soon as once more hunted by Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang), who has now teamed up with a very sinister Na’vi named Varang (Oona Chaplin), the chief of the Mangkwan clan, who has a fairly sturdy fetish for hearth.
Forward, Sam Worthington tells us every part it is advisable to find out about Jake Sully and the filming of the final two Avatar movies – which had been filmed on the identical time, the place at some point, it is perhaps a scene for The Method of Water, and the following, it is perhaps Fireplace and Ash. And he provides us an replace on what he is aware of up to now concerning the fourth and fifth movies that James Cameron has form of hedged on a bit in current months, wanting to attend to see how Fireplace and Ash does first.
And Worthington explains, for a man like him, who clearly doesn’t like being the focus, how the Avatar movies are the right blockbuster for him to nonetheless be capable to preserve a few of his privateness – however that doesn’t imply he’s not acknowledged as Jake Sully, which does nonetheless occur quite a bit.
‘The Method of Water’ and ‘Fireplace and Ash’ Had been Seen as One Huge Movie
Sam Worthington: Good to fulfill you.
Truly, we’ve met earlier than. I interviewed you for Wrath of the Titans.
Worthington: [Laughs] It is a lengthy time in the past, Mike.
I noticed Avatar: Fireplace and Ash yesterday. After it ended, my physique felt prefer it needed to recalibrate to Earth after being on Pandora for over three hours. Do you could have the identical response? Or is it extra, “Effectively, I bear in mind filming that scene”?
Worthington: No, no, I get that feeling, as a result of it is undoubtedly immersive. I believe that is considered one of James’s items. He dreamt this world and has employed all these artists to deliver it to life. And the extra we do in these sagas, the extra detailed and wealthy these environments are getting. So I believe that he makes use of that massive display screen to undoubtedly do this, to take you out of your on a regular basis and transport you.
I’ve seen the behind-the-scenes pictures. While you’re filming, are you ever like, “How on earth is that this going to appear like that?” I’ve been on film units, however that is only a totally different stage…
Worthington: Effectively, it is. After we movie them, although we’re within the empty grey area we name the amount, we have now the references, the artwork references available on the time.
How so?
Worthington: Jim is not a really secretive director together with his solid. He is very open. So not solely will we see the world that we’re about to do the scene in, however due to the posh of the digital digital camera, he can put this digital camera that he created across the area that we’ll inhabit and play in. And we are able to see it right away on screens across the room. And that basically helps, as a result of now we all know the place we’re – whether or not within the water, within the forest, what a part of Pandora we’re on. Whether or not we’re up within the timber or down within the Metkayina clan in any respect, and it is actual time. So I can wave, and my blue avatar can wave again, you realize what I imply? In actual time.
Okay, so that you see your self as a Na’vi on set…
Worthington: Now, by doing that, we are able to then construct this grey area we’d like with the intention to work together. So we’d like these references to offer us the small print with the intention to make our performances true.
So when did you really movie this one? As a result of The Method of Water and Fireplace and Ash had been filmed on the identical time, proper? However a few of it was filmed later? I’m attempting to get the timeline straight.
Worthington: They’re the identical film.
Okay?
Worthington: After I learn it, it was like one movie. That is what it was. And since Jim, I consider he is the grasp of construction, he did not need to form of simply lower it and dismantle it. He mentioned, “I’ll separate them so that they belong in the identical world.” These two films are mainly the continuation, half one, half two, you can name it. However I believe we began that in 2017? And we had been filming them concurrently, not again to again. We filmed them on the identical time. So at some point you do The Method of Water, then you definitely flip to Fireplace and Ash.
I see.
James Cameron Will Simply Name Up Sam Worthington When He Has New Concepts to Movie
Worthington: I believe the primary block, we filmed for about 18 months of efficiency seize. After which they’d have executed one other 18 months or so of stay motion. After which the best way we form of work is that stuff’s getting rendered, Jim can even have some inventive concepts. We obtained break up up by COVID in 2020. However Jim’s means of working, I’m like I am a health care provider on name. As a result of he’ll simply cellphone me up after I’ve executed one other job and say, “Hey man, I hear you are free. I’ve obtained a extremely cool thought. My inventive juices have been flowing.”
Wait, actually? You’ll be engaged on one thing else, and he’ll simply name up and say, “Let’s movie some extra scenes”?
Worthington: Yeah, he’ll go, “Do you need to come again and play extra? I’ve obtained some cool concepts.” Or, “I’ve considered one thing.” Or, “I want a bit extra one thing so as to add to what we have executed.” So it is not reshoots. It is really simply…
Extra concepts.
Worthington: Yeah! He is frequently portray and portray, which that is unbelievable to be part of. And I bounce. When the boss says “Go,” let’s go, as a result of I really like filming there. So I will go down, and we’ll simply throw out concepts and do what we do. And that goes all the best way up till this 12 months, or at any time when, we’re form of managed by the rendering. So I believe perhaps final 12 months was in all probability the final time we did that as a result of it would not have had time to render. However it’s an ideal course of as a result of he is all the time creating and massaging this story that he cares about. It isn’t like a standard movie in that means.
After we final spoke, as a result of it’s my job, I used to be already asking, “Hey, what’s up with Avatar 2? When’s that popping out? ” And that was 2013. I’m guessing neither of us realized that was nonetheless 9 years away. While you had been again on set for each the second and the third movie, had been you want, I can’t consider we’re lastly doing this?
Worthington: I am probably not that sort of man, to be trustworthy.
I do know. I get you’re extra of a “I put my head down and do the work” form of actor, however come on? Not even somewhat?
Worthington: It’s extra when he despatched me the scripts. Effectively, he phoned me up and mentioned, “I’ve obtained an thought of methods to improve the saga, this household saga.” As a result of there was no discuss of a sequel on the primary one. It was simply standalone. We did not notice it might join that a lot. So we weren’t smug sufficient to assume we’d make sequels.
To be honest, James Cameron got here out pretty shortly after the primary movie did so effectively and mentioned there could be extra. In order that clearly fueled anticipation.
Worthington: I suppose. I suppose as a result of he likes the characters extra than simply the enterprise aspect of it. That is how Jim operates. And I believe what he gave me, and what he introduced when he talked to me, was nearly like a novel. It was this novel of the development of this love story that we began in primary. And the development was, effectively, “love story turns into a household.” They’ve children, then we’ll problem that household. After which it retains going and going. So once we began, I do know the entire form of saga that Jim has in his head and that he desires to ultimately attempt to get to. And then you definitely simply dive in. It isn’t a case of form of going, “Wow, is not this unbelievable?” It is a case of, “I actually hope we are able to inform that story as a result of that story rocks.” And that is what’s totally different from different films I’ve executed. Different films I’ve executed which have had sequels? They’re considering of the sequel to try to emulate the success that the primary one had. Jim does not function that means. He actually created this world out of his goals. And he is creating this story as a result of he believes that is his means that he can inform and focus on the themes that he desires to debate.
Sam Worthington Says Working With James Cameron Spoils Actors
I noticed a quote from Jack Champion, after he did Scream VI, alluding to how shocked he was how non-Avatar films are made, which means mainly each different film.
Worthington: [Laughs] I all the time consider Jim spoils you! I did Avatar after I was… I would executed films main as much as Avatar, however as soon as I did that, I used to be like 33 when it got here out. Yeah, I used to be spoiled. I used to be broke for each different movie. And other people say to you, “Can we do the Avatar expertise?” I am going, “The one factor that we had greater than something is time and Jim permits time.” It is such an actor-centric means of filming this efficiency seize. He does his digital camera and all of the VFX a lot later. The majority of it’s us actors appearing scenes with a director who’s sitting proper subsequent to me, giving me concepts, giving me totally different challenges. And whenever you’re on a standard movie set, the director’s extra anxious concerning the shot, the dolly, the closeup, the solar, the extras. So we’re very privileged that we have a director that is beneficiant together with his time.
And I do not know in the event you take note of on-line chatter, and I’ll guess you do not. However in 2022, main as much as the discharge of The Method of Water, there have been plenty of thinkpieces saying Avatar doesn’t have a cultural footprint. I’m not seeing these this time round.
Worthington: [Laughs] They don’t seem to be betting towards the home, I suppose.
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Not this time. They did in 2022, they usually misplaced.
Worthington: I bear in mind somebody requested me that on The Method of Water press tour, and I used to be advised, “Effectively, nobody talks about it.” I mentioned, “Effectively, nobody knew something about Avatar 1!” It wasn’t coming from an IP! It was simply out of this man’s head! And I mentioned, “It did not appear to cease that.” If a narrative’s good and you may inform when a film is completed by somebody’s coronary heart – and if it is technically savvy and he is pushing the envelope of what this medium can do – I believe hopefully that pulls an viewers. After which, as I mentioned, if the story’s proper and the characters are true, then that can hopefully join with the viewers. However that is the alchemy of nice films. It is laborious to duplicate, and it is laborious to attempt to determine the system.
Effectively, talking of replicating, for 10 years, studios tried to duplicate Avatar‘s 3D expertise and nobody may do it. Conflict of the Titans was one which occurred proper after…
Worthington: I used to be within the one with the best 3D expertise, and I did that film, which had in all probability the worst 3D expertise. I believe that film gave me an aneurysm after I watched it as a result of the 3D was placed on after. The film wasn’t designed for it. And I believe it was then retrofitted as a result of they leaned into 3D being a gimmick. Jim created 3D cameras. He constructed them himself. He understands the stereoscopic world in all probability higher than anybody, and he does not see it as a gimmick. He sees it as a device that he can use as a director to immerse an viewers on the planet that he creates. That is how he sees it and that is how he makes use of it.
And, look, I do clearly love the theatrical expertise. However I additionally see films in good screening rooms with nobody speaking or on their telephones. So I do get why audiences don’t all the time love going. However with Avatar, you actually can’t recreate it at residence. It’s its personal expertise.
Worthington: Yeah, man. I agree. It is what it is constructed for, that massive display screen.
You are on Pandora. I’m simply trying round at stuff half the time.
Worthington: After I was a child, I bear in mind I noticed E.T. on the massive display screen. It transported me. And I noticed Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom on the massive display screen, and it transported me.
That was my first Indiana Jones film in a theater. And it additionally freaked me out for my whole life, so there’s that too…
Worthington: Yeah, the center!
And that film was rated PG.
Worthington: That is precisely proper. We’ve got a horrific scene and little one slave labor.
A seven-year-old child may stroll up and say, “One ticket, please.” They usually’re like, “Right here you go, child.”
Worthington: Yeah! I all the time bear in mind them consuming the monkey brains and chopping the snake! However I believe with these films, they’re executed by a robust director who understands the magic of cinema. And that is additionally Jim. That is what his films demand. I bear in mind seeing Titanic on the massive display screen. I used to be in one of many low-cost seats down the very entrance, and it felt just like the iceberg was hitting me…
I believe they price the identical quantity. You simply obtained there late.
Worthington: [Laughs] True, so with the neckbreaker seats then. I’ve seen that film on the TV, too, however I nonetheless bear in mind being swept away by that story on the massive display screen. And that is what Jim designs his films for.
Even Although He is Blue, Folks Acknowledge Sam Worthington as Jake Sully All over the place
I’ve all the time puzzled this about you. For those who’re ever in a nasty temper, do you simply say to your self, “I’m the star of two of the three highest-grossing movies of all time?” I’d say that to myself on a regular basis.
Worthington: [Grins] I do not say that to myself, however it’s insane.
Do children acknowledge you on the road? “Hey, you’re Jake Sully!” I get you’re a Na’vi in the newest two movies, however you’re your self for a great portion of the primary movie…
Worthington: Look, it is fascinating. I believe my temperament as an individual, this blockbuster actually form of fits a man like me. Due to that, I get plenty of anonymity due to it, which is nice for an individual. As I mentioned, good for a man like me who will get a bit intimidated by being the focus.
I’ve observed that about you. I do know you do not love doing interviews like this…
Worthington: It’s not that I don’t love… it’s that I’ve a visceral impact to it.
I see.
Worthington: It is fairly overwhelming. However, that being mentioned, it is fascinating how many individuals do acknowledge you and do come up and go, “Hey man, you are in that film. You are the blue Jake Sully within the Avatar film, aren’t you?” And that is so much of individuals. And I can go wherever on the planet, and you will get by customs simpler.
Effectively, see, that is good.
Worthington: You possibly can meet anybody! In Indonesia. I have been within the weirdest locations in Africa and stuff. And somebody has seen and skilled that film and hears my voice and might hear Jake Sully or see a mannerism that I do this they’ve clearly acknowledged that. As a result of it’s my efficiency, one hundred pc, animated on. And that is it. And every part is protected. Each a part of us is protected. So yeah, sure smiles that I do, some man will acknowledge or catch some and go, “I do know that dude from someplace.” And simply since you’re blue, it does not essentially imply that the anonymity holds. Have a look at Zoe. Zoe’s been blue in the entire saga. She was all the time recognizable even means earlier than she obtained as tremendous well-known as she is now.
And she or he’s inexperienced in Guardians of the Galaxy…
Worthington: Yeah. So I do assume it is individuals choose up on the spirit, that is what they see, or simply sure issues that we do this they acknowledge from the film.
There are all the time tales concerning the loopy factor an actor needed to do on an Avatar set. What was that for you?
Worthington: Effectively, something with the water is tough. Water is 3 times more durable. That is only a given on a movie set, perhaps even 10 instances more durable once we’re going below it. After which I am going to a different movie set, and also you’re doing typical marks and all this different stuff, and nothing compares to that. I really like working with Jim simply because every day is a problem. We’re all the time problem-solving. That is how we make these films. We’re fixing the issues of methods to deliver this world alive. And Jim, he does not settle. He does not simply say, “Yeah, that can do.” We simply preserve pushing and pushing. And if we do not get it, we’ll go and do it the following day till we get it to the purpose the place we all know we’re extraordinarily setting that bar excessive. So it is not one or two issues, as a result of we movie these items for thus lengthy.
James Cameron has wavered somewhat on the fourth and fifth movies. He appears to be saying, “We’ll see how this one does,” proper now…
Worthington: I believe that is an inexpensive factor. Jim’s not an smug man. He tells the story. If it connects, and we’re fortunate to proceed the saga, I believe that is what he is attempting to get at.
Have you ever really filmed something for 4 or 5? I do not know if any of that was filmed as a part of these final two?
Worthington: I believe they filmed some scenes with the children.
Okay, that is sensible.
Worthington: Yeah, as a result of they had been youthful after which, I do not assume I am speaking out of faculty, that film does bounce forward in time. However, identical factor. It is a inventive course of with Jim. I do know that he’ll in all probability nonetheless write on it and tinker on it, and when he is able to rock, he’ll name us. However I do not assume he is saying that for every other purpose than he is simply coming off this one, and that is his focus. His focus is this movie.
- Launch Date
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December 19, 2025
- Runtime
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195 Minutes
- Director
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James Cameron
