Avatar 2 described as 'the most insanely complicated movie ever made'

Virgin Radio

31 Aug 2022, 11:33

Director James Cameron has shared details about the upcoming Avatar sequel’s filming process, and showed finished scenes from the movie during a recent keynote speech, causing one fellow director to say that it “appears to be the most insanely complicated movie ever made”.

The hotly-anticipated new movie, titled, Avatar: The Way of Water, was never going to be an understated affair, and now writer/director Liam O’Donnell, who witnessed the keynote speech at DGA Digital Day, has confirmed just how complex it will be.

American film director, producer, writer and special effects artist O’Donnell took to Twitter to say: “AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER appears to be the most insanely complicated movie ever made. Holy s***. James Cameron’s Digital Day keynote just broke my brain.”

In a Twitter thread, he explained that the filming process included “Underwater performance capture with 15 cameras. Two cams on every actor’s face capture. Underwater reference capture for fully CG creatures. Oh yeah and infrared depth capture to place CG characters in the live action footage.”

The industry professional also added that, “all of the actors, including a 7 year old kid and Sigourney in her 60’s, had to take deep breathing courses so they could hold their breath for 2-3 minute underwater takes for the performance capture. Same as the camera operators! No scuba! All free diving in a tank together!”

O’Donnell also stated that one of the scenes that was shown was of “underwater swimming alongside an alien whale.”

Fans were given a glimpse of the new movie in the form of a trailer in May.

The long-awaited sequel sees Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña return as Sully and Neytiri, who have formed a family but, according to the synopsis: “They must leave their home and explore the regions of Pandora. When an ancient threat resurfaces, Jake must fight a difficult war against the humans.”

Avatar: The Way of Water is due to land on 16th December 2022.