The new Avatar: The Way of Water trailer teases Sigourney Weaver's Kiri hearing a mysterious heartbeat on Pandora, and it could be the actress' original character of Dr. Grace. Amidst the visual spectacle and emotional story teases in the new Avatar 2 trailer, James Cameron's Avatar sequel provides a few intriguing moments for viewers to process. While Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) are still the main characters, Avatar 2 will also give their daughter Kiri a massive role. This is also how Sigourney Weaver returns to the franchise after Dr. Grace died in the first movie.
Kiri hearing a heartbeat in Pandora is set up to be one of the most significant plot points in Avatar: The Way of Water, but the trailer does not reveal whose heartbeat she is hearing. The conversation with Jake is unclear on who or what Kiri is talking about. There is a chance that Kiri is referring to Pandora's heartbeat itself, given the strong connection the Na'vi have with their planet. However, the decision to have Sigourney Weaver play Kiri seemingly links her to Dr. Grace in some fashion. This could mean that Kiri hears Dr. Grace's heartbeat after she dies at the Tree of Souls and unites with the planet's deity, Eywa.
Why Only Kiri Can Hear The Heartbeat
It is evident through Kiri's conversation with Jake that she is the only one who can hear the mysterious heartbeat from Avatar 2. She mentions that she knows her father thinks she's crazy, but Kiri insists that she can listen to the heartbeat. Kiri also refers explicitly to the heartbeat belonging to a "her." Even though Jake cannot hear the same heartbeat, he does ask his daughter for more information on what it sounds like. The Avatar: The Way of Water trailer does not reveal her answer. The reason that only Sigourney Weaver's new character can hear the heartbeat in Avatar 2 could be a unique connection she has to Pandora and Dr. Grace.
James Cameron has not confirmed that Kiri and Dr. Grace do share a connection, but the decision to cast Sigourney Weaver in the role of a teenager has to mean something. Kiri describes the heartbeat as "mighty" and that it feels like "she's so close." While other moments in the Avatar: The Way of Water trailer show Kiri connecting to Pandora, but that would not explain why she alone can hear the heartbeat since all Na'vi can perform tsaheylu. That is why the heartbeat Kiri hears in Avatar 2 very well could belong to Dr. Grace.
Can Dr. Grace Return (Properly) In Avatar 2?
While Dr. Grace could always return in Avatar: The Way of Water through flashbacks, the heartbeat Kiri hears could indicate Sigourney Weaver's Avatar death will be reversed. This might even include Dr. Grace returning properly in the sequel. The first Avatar teased how Grace's full memories and consciousness were absorbed by the Tree of Souls before her human body died. It is possible that part of Avatar 2's story is about Kiri searching for Dr. Grace's memories and attempting to bring her back to life. Since there is still much about Pandora that has yet to be explored, Avatar: The Way of Water could use Kiri's heartbeat to resurrect Grace - especially since Quaritch cheated death.
