Zoe Saldaña & Sam Worthington on “Emotionally Charged” Scenes in ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ | THR News
When we did the first movie, I don’t think anyone we had no inclination of kind of continuing it. So when Jim called up many years later and said, “I’ve got an idea of how to develop this into a saga,” that’s very exciting. And to use that love story as the basis is great because it naturally progresses to a family. >> It’s time to return to Pandora for Avatar Fire and Ash, which marks the third film in the beloved and groundbreaking franchise. The stars of the movie as well as director James Cameron spoke to the Hollywood reporter all about the new film. It really feels like this movie is the most intense and emotional Avatar movie so far. It sees Natiri grieving the death of one of her sons. What was it like taking these characters to this emotional place? It was difficult. It’s not these are not emotions that that actors are skipping to work to to incarnate. Um, but I feel really comforted by the fact that I was able to do it with Sam and Jim. >> This movie, we’re taking those emotions and these characters more complex and deeper. So, when you’re doing the battle scenes, they’re constructed in a way where uh they have to be very precise of to be safe. Um, but when we’re doing the ones with each other, there’s a freedom to it and we don’t know where each actor is going to take it and they’re emotionally charged and they’re emotionally true. >> I feel they portray these people in this marriage with such honesty and such courage and it really takes my breath away. [music] I mean, you don’t have many action films that are so satisfying and moving on so many levels. this one, I just felt like it was time to to shift the emphasis to the people, to the family. We know these characters now. We’ve known them long enough. We can go um, you know, into deeper places with them and put it all in jeopardy. So, it’s not just about having a big fight and see who lives and who dies, right? It’s it’s more about their heart, their soul is in jeopardy, right? And we want to see them heal. We want to come out of it with some some hope. when I don’t like give it all away, but you know, I’m a sucker for a happy ending within reason. >> What do I [music] want? >> What you’ve never had an equal. >> The new film introduces the Ash people led by Veron played by Una Chaplan. You’re a new character in this movie, but your face is the big one on the poster. It’s the big one on the billboards. What’s it like driving around LA and seeing your face on these big billboards? >> I received the pictures of the billboards and stuff from like my mother-in-law and like you know my friends [laughter] like but I you know I live out in the country and I hardly ever leave my house cuz there’s a lot of gardening to do. But um it’s amazing you know it’s been such a gift and I was actually I was talking to Deborah Scottley who designed the costumes you know and a lot of it is like people were out on the carpet last night dressed as Veron you know they haven’t even seen the movie. This has been such an incredible piece of collaboration. I just love the fact that I get to go on this ride because I really put my heart and soul into it and I I enjoyed it very very much. But then, you know, the artists down the line, they really made her have so much flare and I just love her. I mean, I was looking up at myself on screen like, “Wo, that’s cool.” You know, that’s so cool. >> Stephen and Una, you share so many scenes together in this film. What was it like working together on this? it gets said in the scene. I say, you know, you want something. I’ve got something that you’ve never had. Uh, an equal. [music] And that kind of feeling of equality, the the shifting of of power within the scene itself. Well, I shouldn’t say that because she wields all the power in the scene, it seems to me. But, but there’s a certain power in being becoming submissive. And you never think of CH as a submissive character. So, it’s wonderful to be able to add these new colors, you know, which >> how do you still live? >> What if every human being on Earth could live here without a mask? >> Then the Nervy people will be gone. >> Everyone who’s worked on the film has such amazing things to say about James Cameron as a director. What’s it like working with him? Is there one note he’s given you over the years that’s really stuck with you is just the best note he’s ever given you? >> I love when he says, “I don’t know, but let’s try it.” >> Okay, you want to try it, kiddo? I’m like, “Yep.” I I just I I I I love I love that he never makes you feel [sighs and gasps] like you’re in the way that you are creating an imposition by being curious, by asking a question, by making a suggestion. He welcomes it so much. And I I I need to work with directors like that because I care so deeply. When I do care, I care so so very deeply. and and I’m coming to work with so much passion and so many ideas and so many questions and and um and um and I and and with the best of intentions. So when I feel really seen and appreciated and valued like that um it’s a it’s it’s healing. Unlike what a lot of people have thought uh this is not a technological process. the technology happens so far away and so we’re at a kind of early theater rehearsal going for it and Jim’s right there with us so his belief in us his protection of us is so ongoing it it’s just spoils you >> why do you think actors love working with you as a director >> I think it’s because I I I give them a lot of free reign and and then I’ll just come in and I’ll I’ll speak from the character so I think being a writer is is is critical. You know, I think if I was just a hired gun visual director, this wouldn’t work, you know, the same way because the visual stuff is like the camera style, the lighting, and all that sort sort of stuff. And I I shovel that all off to to later. I take that all off them so they’re not waiting around. They’re not in their trailer waiting for us to to light the reverse, you know? Uh they’re just always on and they’re always in a closeup, too. So, it’s like, “Guys, you’re served. You’re in a close-up all the time. You got to bring it. But it’s trust, right? It’s about trust. It’s about them going through the process and and trusting the outcome. This world goes much deeper than you imagine. [music] As Avatar Fire and Dash is being released, the future of the franchise is up in the air. as Cameron has said that the box office performance of this film will determine whether or not he makes his planned fourth and fifth movies. >> I mean, look, I’d love to have the opportunity there. It’s it’s crackling good story for, you know, I mean, um, I have no bones about that story. I know it’s a strong story and it takes way far from what you think. Um, ideally in a good way. But that said, you know, I mean, you’re keenly aware working for for the Hollywood Reporter that, you know, the landscape is changing. The ground is shifting under our feet in in terms of the theatrical marketplace. And is that still going to be a thing? Is that still even going to exist by the time I could get those movies done? And the business model of an Avatar movie is being threatened simply by that contraction of the of the theatrical marketplace and by the fact that at this very same time we’re losing revenue. Costs are going up continuously uh especially in VFX which is where we spend most of our money. The performance capture work is relatively inexpensive, much much cheaper than live action production. And it really gives us a chance to be creative and to take our time, you know, in making two and three together as as one production. We spent 18 months with, you know, Sigourney and Sam and Zoe and and and all the others just getting it right, you know, and it’s un it’s unhurried, it’s creative, it’s playful. Um, it’s like theater rehearsal, you know. It’s it’s really quite a wonderful experience. The actors love it. I love it as a writer director because I’m creating these characters and watching them bring them to life, you know. Uh it’s it’s a joyful process. >> Avatar Fire and Dash hits theaters December 19th. For much more on the film, go to thr.com. For the Hollywood Reporter News, I’m Tiffany Taylor.
Stars Zoe Saldaña, Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang and Oona Chaplin, as well as filmmaker James Cameron, sat down with THR to talk all about their new film ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash.’ The stars opened up taking the franchise to a new emotional level, as well as what they love about working with Cameron as a director. Plus, Cameron got candid about whether or not he will make his planned fourth and fifth ‘Avatar’ films.
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Zoe Saldaña & Sam Worthington on “Emotionally Charged” Scenes in ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ | THR News
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2 Comments
Zoe is so hot and gorgeous!
Making this a saga was the best decision 👌🔥🔥