Just a few hours after news broke of Netflix’s takeover of Warner Bros., James Cameron turned the European premiere of Disney’s “Avatar: Fire and Ash” in Paris into a cinematic rallying cry. “I requested this from Disney,” he told the crowd (equipped with 3D glasses) at La Scene Musicale venue, explaining why he chose France to launch the movie in Europe.
“We need to honor the nation that has more cinephiles per capita than any other country in the world; The thing that I love about France is that in this country, it is a moral obligation to support the arts,” Cameron said on stage, standing alongside Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Bailey Bass and Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Sam Worthington.
Cameron also took the opportunity to highlight the fact that “Avatar” uses performance capture rather than generative AI. “You’re going to see the pinnacle of the most advanced imaging technology in the world,” he said. “We don’t use generative AI… We don’t know what that’s going to mean for our industry, but I know one thing — we’re not replacing actors,” he continued, drawing a vibrant applause. In fact, Cameron said it took 18 months to capture the performances of the actors for “Avatar: The Way of Water” (which came out in 2022) and “Avatar: Fire and Ash.”
Cameron also paid homage to his close friend and late producer Jon Landau, who died last year and whose partnership shaped the DNA of the “Avatar” universe. He said Landau’s spirit and heart “infused of all three ‘Avatar movies’ and Titanic before that.” “We forced ourselves to go above and beyond to finish this film in a way he would have been proud of.”
On the red carpet, Sam Worthington explained how his work as an actor has remained authentic since the first “Avatar” movie 16 years ago even though technological tools have evolved greatly. “My job in the performance capture, the acting part, that’s been the same. It’s just pure acting with another person,” he said. What’s changed is everything around it. “The digital makeup is way more nuanced now. Every thought, every movement my body does when I’m truthful has been protected.”
“That was a promise Jim made me in the first movie — and he’s delivered on it. It’s incredible to watch because it is me, 100%,” Worthington said.
Sigourney Weaver, who started playing a brilliant xenobotanist Dr. Grace Augustine in the first “Avatar” film, and now plays 14-year-old Kiri in “Avatar: The Way of Water” and Avatar: Fire and Ash,” connected the film’s themes to her real-life environmental activism. “I’m very involved with the oceans and the High Seas Treaty,” she said. “The movie shows even more graphically what corporations and humans are willing to do to their fellow creatures. It’s so sad — but it educates you. These creatures are equal citizens of our world. You need to wake up… respect other species. This is not your world. You can’t just do whatever you want with it.”
Weaver also confirmed what she said last October at a New York Comic Con “Alien” reunion panel. She told Variety that was enthused by Walter Hill’s 50-page treatment for a potential “Alien” return. “We’re taking it one step at a time,” she said. “I hope we do it because I think it will be wonderful. I think the fans will enjoy it. It’s very early days.”
“Avatar: Fire and Ash” is coming out in French theaters in Dec. 17. Local exhibitors have placed their hopes in the movie to bolster the box office which has dropped significantly in 2025.