After nearly fourteen years, audiences will finally return to one of the most breathtaking cinematic worlds to ever grace the silver screen. Avatar 2: The Way Of Water is the long-anticipated sequel to 2009’s Avatar. With innovative new filming techniques and a universal theme, it has the potential to be even more prolific than the original film.

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James Cameron’s sweeping sci-if epic has an environmentalist slant, and captivates audiences worldwide. The original Avatar is the highest-grossing film ever released (adjusted for inflation), even thirteen years later. There are still many unanswered questions about the upcoming film, but information is slowly emerging over time.

10 The Film Will Be Officially Released On December 16, 2022

Navi and a water creature ride the waves in Avatar 2: The Way of Water.

Almost as soon as the first Avatar movie hit theaters, rumors began circulating about a potential sequel. Avatar 2: The Way Of Water had been in the works ever since, but filming schedules changed multiple times over the years. Like many cinematic projects in recent years, this movie suffered delays due to the COVID pandemic. Furthermore, the film required some very special technology for filming purposes. The technology needed didn't fully exist in the necessary form, and its development further delayed Avatar 2's filming process.

9 The Film's Budget Was Even Larger Than The First Avatar​​​​

Neytiri helps Jake Sully mount an animal in Avatar movie

The first Avatar film had a massive $237 million budget in 2009, and the budget for Avatar: The Way Of Water was even larger. The film was allotted an impressive $250 million budget. Based on the uniqueness of the filming methods used, it's unlikely the film could've been made for any less.

The first Avatar film has grossed an unprecedented $2.5 billion worldwide, making it a highly worthwhile investment. Due to the buzz surrounding this upcoming sequel, it's certainly possible the film will generate a similar level of profit by the time it completes its theater run.

8 James Cameron Helped Produce The Camera He Used To Shoot The Film

James Cameron Avatar

Film director James Cameron was so passionate about the Avatar project that he wanted the perfect equipment for his filmmaking efforts. Cameron's production company, Lightstorm Entertainment, worked with SONY on specifications for the development of a new camera. The SONY Venice camera was confirmed as Cameron's camera of choice back in 2018 and was used for the filming of Avatar: The Way Of Water. The camera was SONY's first full-frame digital motion picture camera at the time of its release and was used with 3D stereoscopic rigs for maximum versatility.

7 The Story Is Very Family-Focused

avatar waywater

This highly-anticipated movie sequel jumps about fifteen years forward in time and shows Jake Sully as a chieftain and Neytiri as a high priestess. James Cameron often includes universal themes at the heart of his film plots, which is what makes them resonate so deeply with audiences. Sully and Neytiri are concerned with protecting their clan in the film, but their larger concern is the well-being of their children. The struggles faced by parents are a major focus of the plot and lend a relatable dose of reality to this fantastical sci-fi world.

6 There Are Three More Planned Sequels

Avatar The Way of Water image showing Na'vi on the show of a beach

Fans of the Avatar universe will be happy to know that Cameron doesn't plan to stop with Avatar 2. There is a full movie franchise plan, which will conclude with a currently untitled Avatar 5 in 2028. As of now, the plan is for a new film to be released every other year, which is a huge improvement on the wait time between franchise installments.

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There are rumors that each Avatar film may take place in a different location. However, James Cameron has repeatedly expressed his love for the ocean, so it's equally likely that upcoming sequels will return to the watery world of Avatar 2.

5 The Sequels Were All Written Simultaneously

Jake Sully from Avatar.

Astonishingly, all the planned sequels for Avatar were written in tandem. Cameron partnered with a team of talented writers including Josh Friedman, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, and Shane Salerno. To ensure cohesion between the films, the team used a method similar to storyboarding to generate the basic groundwork of each film. Cameron wanted all of his writers to be equally invested in the development of the sequels, even the ones they weren't directly writing. This method of simultaneous creation kept everyone on the same page.

4 All The Core Stars Are Returning

Zoe Saldana

The original core cast is on contract for potential sequels, so fans will see many of their favorites return in the new film. Leading lady Zoe Saldana will reprise her role as Neytiri, and Sam Worthington returns as Jake Sully. They are slotted to appear in every sequel going forward. Stephen Lang will also be present in the film, and his character is set to be the main antagonist in multiple sequels. Signourney Weaver's original character died in the first film, but she will lend her acting skills to a new character in Avatar 2.

3 Several New Stars Have Signed On For Avatar 2 And Beyond

Titanic movie with Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead roles of Rose and Jack

In addition to the returning cast, several new actors have joined the Avatar universe for Avatar 2 and the other sequels. Most notably, Fast & Furious frontman Vin Diesel will make his debut in the series. Michelle Yeoh will play a role, as will Titanic's Kate Winslet. Avatar: The Way Of Water will mark the first time Kate Winslet has worked with James Cameron since Titanic hit theaters in 1997. It's fitting that the star of the third highest-grossing film of all time is back to working with the director who created it, especially for such a massive undertaking as Avatar 2.

2 The Majority Of The Film Takes Place Underwater

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One of the most astonishing aspects of Avatar 2: The Way Of Water is where it was filmed. James Cameron didn't feel that simulated underwater filming was good enough — he wanted the real thing.

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Cameron and his team designed a new underwater motion capture technology specifically for this film franchise, revolutionizing how future underwater films are made. The team had a 900,000-gallon water tank built to use for all the sequels, which allowed them to generate different kinds of water conditions for certain scenes.

1 The Actors Needed Special Training For The Film

The Na'vi from Avatar

All the main actors for Avatar 2: The Way Of Water had to train extensively in the art of free-diving because using scuba equipment would've interfered with the mo-cap technology. Kate Winslet performed all of her own underwater stunts and trained to hold her breath for a staggering seven and a half minutes. Even the younger cast members, who star as the pre-teen offspring of Sully and Neytiri, were trained in scuba diving and — according to Cameron himself — gave impressive performances in the dive tank.

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