Move over, Tom Cruise! There's a new breath-holding champion in town, and it's none other than Avatar: The Way of Water's Kate Winslet.In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the actor, who plays Ronal in the new film, said that it feels "amazing" to have held her breath for seven minutes and fourteen seconds while shooting the Avatar sequel, crushing Tom Cruise's previous record. "I'm definitely better," she joked. The actor, a famous alum of director James Cameron as the co-star of Titanic, spent the past few years making headlines for her breath-holding prowess, with the now-confirmed breaking of Cruise's record adding yet another dimension.
Avatar 2's Holiday Box Office Dominance
Winslet's epic breath-holding seems to have paid off, as The Way of Water is currently soaring toward earning $1 billion at the box office. The film brought in an estimated $253.7 million globally during its second weekend in theaters, and if it continues on this track, it will reach ten figures by the middle of the week. The film's ratings reflect these impressive numbers, as The Way of Water currently holds a 78% critical approval rate on Rotten Tomatoes from 381 reviews, and an even higher audience score of 93%.
Yet, Cameron is likely unsurprised that his film has done well so far, as he previously predicted that audiences would like it. He explained that this is because his tastes are "blue collar and general" as opposed to "esoteric," and so "if I like my movie, I know other people are going to like my movie." Part of what will resonate with viewers in the new film, says Cameron, is that it is very family-based and relatable. "The story goes much deeper in terms of heart and emotions," he revealed, adding that The Way of Water "is inspired by parents and the family dynamic," as well as "the responsibility of having kids" and the kid's experience. Cameron added that, "as a parent of five kids," getting into that headspace came easily to him. "I know what it is to be the asshole dad," he admitted.
Cameron's confidence in The Way of Water remained high, despite the fact that he knew that some people don't want the film to succeed. "I don't think anything one does artistically in life should be determined by the trolls and the naysayers," he explained, adding that he doesn't worry about those campaigning for it to flop.
James Cameron's Avatar: The Way of Water is now playing in theaters.
Source: Twitter