Sigourney Weaver Cast As Jake And Neytiri’s Daughter In 'Avatar 2’

We’ve known for some time now that Sigourney Weaver is set to make a return in Avatar 2, which has had fans very confused. In case your memory of the 2009 film is hazy (as I think it is for many of us), Weaver’s character, Dr. Grace Augustine, met an untimely demise during the course of the 162 minute-long blockbuster. So, how she was supposed to come back was a bit of a mystery.

Until now, that is. As reported by Empire, it’s been revealed that Weaver has been cast as a different character entirely - none other than Jake And Neytiri’s adopted teenage Na’vi daughter, Kiri. Which is, uh, a choice?

Take a look at the trailer for the highly anticipated Avatar sequel, The Way of Water, right here.

“I think we all pretty much remember what we were feeling as adolescents,” Weaver told Empire. “I certainly do. I was 5’ 10” or 5’ 11” when I was 11. I felt strongly that Kiri would feel awkward a lot of the time. She’s searching for who she is. I was thrilled to be given that challenge by Jim [James Cameron].”

Now, let us just remind ourselves here that Weaver herself is 72 years old, so choosing to cast her as a teen is slightly baffling. That said, according to the director himself, she’s done a great job: “As an acting challenge, it’s big,” James Cameron told Empire. “We’re gonna have a 60-something actor playing a character [decades younger than] her actual biological age. Sig thought it was all kinds of fun.” 

Apparently, to get into the role, Weaver had to do some workshopping with a group of teenage girls, which was very effective: “Sigourney just became younger,” Cameron said. “She looked younger, she had more energy, and she never quite stepped out of Kiri for our whole capture period. She had a glow on her face and lightness in her step and a fun spirit.”

We’ll have to wait and see how well she pulls it off when Avatar: The Way of Water releases in cinemas, at long last, on 16 December this year.