First Look at Sigourney Weaver as Teenage Na’vi Kiri in ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’

Shannen Ace

First Look at Sigourney Weaver as Teenage Na’vi Kiri in ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’

Empire Magazine has provided fans with a first look at Sigourney Weaver’s new character in “Avatar: The Way of Water.” Weaver portrayed Dr. Grace Augustine in the first “Avatar,” but the character died. Weaver is back as a brand new character, Jake and Neytiri’s adopted teenage daughter Kiri.

avatar the way of water kiri

This image shared by Empire shows Kiri watching a video of Dr. Augustine.

empire magazine way of water

Kiri is also featured swimming underwater on the August 2022 cover of Empire.

“I think we all pretty much remember what we were feeling as adolescents,” Weaver told Empire about playing the character. “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 [James Cameron].”

“As an acting challenge, it’s big,” James Cameron said. “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.”

Weaver workshopped with a group of teenage girls to prepare for the role. Cameron said that, when portraying Kiri, “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.”

“Avatar: The Way of Water” hits theaters on December 16, 2022. Watch the first teaser trailer for the much-anticipated sequel.

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