The Herald will be bringing you all the action from the red carpet as Avatar: Fire and Ash is screened for the first time ahead of its nationwide cinematic release on December 18.
Director James Cameron and actor Sam Worthington on the set of Avatar: The Way of Water. Photo / Supplied
Filming for the movie finished in December 2020 and was pieced together over a three-year period, and filmed alongside Avatar: The Way of Water, which was released in 2022. The film’s theatrical release has been subject to nine delays.
The plot takes audiences back to the planet of Pandora in an immersive new adventure with Marine, turned Na’vi leader, Sully, played by Worthington.
Photo / Annaleise Shortland
The film also stars Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Oona Chaplin, Kate Winslet, Edie Falco, Jemaine Clement and Giovanni Ribisi.
In 2013, the New Zealand Government signed an agreement with Lightstorm Entertainment and Twentieth Century Fox to ensure three Avatar films were made in New Zealand. In exchange for tax breaks, the deal required one world premiere to be held in Wellington and at least $500 million to be spent on production activity in New Zealand.
The Avatar franchise began with the eponymous film, released in 2009, which went on to become the highest-grossing motion picture of all time. With the first film and its four sequels having a combined budget estimated at US$1 billion ($1.72b), the franchise is one of the most expensive franchises ever created. It has grossed more than US$5.2b worldwide.