Kate Winslet shares her initial reaction to reading James Cameron's script for Avatar: The Way of Water. The sequel, set over a decade after the events of 2009's Avatar, explores more of Pandora, following Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and his family as they fight to protect their home from a returning threat. The film marks Winslet's second collaboration with Cameron, after starring in the 1997 classic, Titanic. Despite its lasting success, the movie's production process proved to be quite taxing, as she later revealed. While some might have been surprised to see the actor reunite with Cameron for the new Avatar project, she has noted that her experience this time around was quite different.
Winslet previously confirmed that she, along with much of the cast, will be involved in multiple Avatar sequels, having already filmed the third installment. Now, during an interview with EW, she opens up about Cameron's vision and shares what she thought about the script for Avatar: The Way of Water upon first reading it. She says that, early on, she was given "the bare minimum," but was eventually able to learn more about the world being created, noting how detailed Cameron is. Read Winslet's comments regarding Avatar: The Way of Water's script below:
"I definitely was given the bare minimum, initially. Very much character descriptions, a general sense of [Ronal], and the role that she played within her community. But it wasn't until I read the script and discovered, obviously, all of the other elements that he had built in. It's a phenomenal experience reading a Jim Cameron script because it's just so thorough. The guy is such a perfectionist."
Kate Winslet’s Role In The Avatar Sequels Explained
Winslet also says that, after hearing from Cameron on occasion as different ideas were brought up or had fallen through, she was approached with Avatar 2 in 2014. In the sequel, audiences are introduced to her character, Ronal, the spiritual leader of the Metkayina tribe. Winslet has described Ronal as a matriarch who is protective of her people and apprehensive of outsiders, including Jake and his family. Over the course of the film, the Metkayina come to accept the Sullys as they both seek to defend Pandora from a common enemy in the humans, or "sky people."
Given how Avatar: The Way of Water ended and knowing that Winslet will return for the next entry, fans are excited to see more of Ronal and the way her role evolves. Because the Metkayina will still be involved in the series, audiences can likely expect to see Winslet's character back in the water as well. In preparation for her part, she had to train in free diving, learning to act while submerged in a tank for the underwater scenes. Winslet actually broke a record previously held by Tom Cruise, holding her breath underwater for over seven minutes, something Cameron and many of her co-stars have praised her for.
Audiences are already compelled by Avatar: The Way of Water's storytelling and use motion capture technology, something Cameron's franchise in particular has been revered for. Winslet certainly seemed to enjoy reuniting with Cameron, and her high regard for his work has fans eagerly awaiting any new details surrounding the next installment. It will be interesting to see where everything is headed, and how Ronal and her family factor into the future of these films. Those who have yet to meet Winslet's character and the rest of the Metkayina tribe can check out Avatar: The Way of Water in theaters now.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
