It will take a little longer than expected to see Sigourney Weaver back on the big screen in Avatar 2. The 71-year old actress will return to Pandora next year, even though her Dr. Augustine character died during the events of 2009’s Avatar. And it seems that she had to go through a physically challenging process to shoot her scenes. While talking with The New York Times, the actress revealed that her preparation for the role took place in Key West, Florida, and Hawaii, and included many dives in the ocean. However, she was in good company as manta rays glided over her while she reclined on the ocean floor.
“My hope is that what I receive from the universe is even more outrageous than anything I can think of,” she said. “I don’t really say to myself, ‘Well, you can’t do this.’ Or, ‘You can’t do that.’ Let me at it! And we’ll see.”
RELATED: Edie Falco Debuts as General Ardmore in Latest Avatar Photo
She also trained with an expert who taught her to hold her breath for more than six minutes. Some of the promotional photos from the upcoming movie featured Weaver going underwater to film a stunt for a scene. She looked like she was wearing a mo-cap suit in those photos, which might indicate that she could return in a Na’vi body, after all. Even so, the challenge made the part more attractive to her.
“I had some concerns,” she added. “But that’s what the training was for. And I really wanted to do it. I didn’t want anyone to think, ‘Oh, she’s old, she can’t do this.’”
Should everything go according to plans, Avatar 2 will hit theaters on December 16, 2022. The following sequels should debut each every couple of years.
What do you think about Sigourney Weaver’s preparation for her part in Avatar 2? Let us know in the comment section below!
Recommended Reading: James Cameron’s Avatar: Tsu’tey’s Path
