Sigourney Weaver, 71, admits she didn’t want anyone to think she was ‘too old’ to film demanding underwater scenes for Avatar 2
Sigourney Weaver is opening up about some of the challenging scenes she had to undertake for James Cameron’s Avatar 2.
Speaking to T magazine for its Greats issue, the 71-year-old actress admitted the grueling underwater scenes were extremely challenging but she was determined to give it her best shot.
‘I had some concerns. 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.”‘
Sigourney Weaver has opened up about the demanding underwater stunts she performed for Avatar 2. She is seen on the cover of T magazine’s Greats issue
Weaver couldn’t give any plot details away but did reveal that she practiced diving in Hawaii and Key West, Florida, learning to hold her breath for six minutes.
During training, the star had supplemental oxygen and was helped by a coach who works with military divers.
When it came time to actually film, Weaver was required to dive in a huge tank of water with weights around her waist.
She revealed that she and other cast members had to learn not to squint or clamp their mouths shut under water during multiple takes in the gigantic tank.
Last month Avatar producer Jon Landau released images showing Sigourney during the shoot giving the thumbs up to the camera with her face covered in motion capture dots
The original 2009 Avatar featured Sigourney as Dr Grace Augustine, a human who dies but has her memories saved on the ‘organic computer’ of the planet Pandora.
Back in 2014, when three Avatar sequels had already been announced, Sigourney hinted at how she would be brought back.
‘It will be challenging for me. I can’t talk about it, but my part is a little different in each one. I’ll transform somewhat,’ she dished to Vulture.
‘I had some concerns. 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.”‘ Sigourney said
The Avatar films are helmed by James Cameron, who previously directed Sigourney in their legendary 1986 film Aliens.
James is bringing his Titanic star Kate Winslet into the Avatar franchise for the sequels and she recently revealed that she had to film underwater for them too.
There are now four Avatar sequels in the works, and their release dates have had to be shuffled about because of the coronavirus lockdowns.
They were initially meant to come out in four alternate Decembers – 2021, 2023, 2025 and 2027 – but each has been postponed by one year.
Talent: FKA Twigs is also featured in the T magazine Greats issue
Cover features: Political activist Angela David and photographer Dawoud Bey are also in the spotlight