James Cameron's Avatar sequels have been in the works for over a decade now. While eager audiences still have some time ahead before Avatar 2 premieres in theaters, they can get a look at one of the film's major characters, thanks to a recently dropped still.
The still was released by Empire and teases the underwater world of Cameron's upcoming film, which much of the news surrounding the project has centered on. Half-submerged in the water is Jake Sully and Neytiri's adopted human son, Miles Socorro, also known as Spider. Played by Jack Champion, Spider is described as the center of a potential conflict between Jake and Neytiri.
It is explained that Spider was born at the human military base, Hell's Gate, on Pandora, but was too young to be taken back to Earth. With no other option, he has been raised in the jungle by Jake and Neytiri. However, despite Jake's human connection, there are differences between Spider and his adoptive mother that cannot be ignore. Producer Jon Landau explained, "Jake took him in but Neytiri always saw him as one of the people who destroyed her home and killed her father... So you have all these dynamics playing out."
While details concerning the plot of Avatar 2 are scarce, the producer went on to explain, "This time around, we're taking Jake and Neytiri and building the most universal theme of all around them. Which is family. Jake comes from the human world, Neytiri from the Na'vi world. So, they're like a modern mixed-race couple, raising kids who perhaps feel they don’t belong to one world or another."
Spider was announced for Avatar 2 back in 2017, along with several other teenage characters. Landau previously teased that these younger heroes will play a major role in all of the Avatar sequels, though only Spider will be depicted as being human. The rest will be Na'vi children from the Sully clan and other Na'vi tribes.
Avatar 2 will see the return of stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver and Stephen Lang, as well as Giovanni Ribisi, Joel David Moore, Edie Falco, Kate Winslet, Oona Chaplin, Vin Diesel, Michelle Yeoh and David Thewlis. The massive project, which takes place 13 years after the hugely successful 2009 film, has faced a number of delays. The latest was due to the ongoing pandemic. In spite of these difficulties, filming wrapped for both Avatar 2 and its upcoming sequel, Avatar 3.
Avatar 2 is scheduled to arrive in theaters on Dec. 16, 2022. It will be followed by Avatar 3 on Dec. 20, 2024.
Source: Empire