James Cameron’s “Avatar” sequel and return to Pandora has finally arrived on streaming with a whole host of new characters as well as many familiar faces we last saw in 2009. “Avatar: The Way of Water” paves the way for at least three more “Avatar” films that will delve even deeper into the beautiful alien world. The second film dives into the aquatic kingdoms, creatures and people who inhabit coastal shores, islands and the reefs and depths of the sea.
With a runtime of 3 hours and 10 minutes, “Avatar: The Way of Water” starts out in the forest-dwelling Na’vi nation where Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) first met the love of his life Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña), but the return of the Sky People (Earth’s military and marines) forces them to flee to the horizons in order to draw the combative forces away from the destruction of the beautiful forest.
Here’s a complete “Avatar: The Way of Water” cast and character guide to who plays who.
Jake Sully (Sam Worthington)
Sam Worthington reprises his role of disabled ex-marine turned forest-dwelling Na’vi Jake Sully, only this time as a father of four — two sons and two daughters. Protecting his family defines Jake now, as it does most fathers, but when the Sky People return to get revenge on their view of an insurgent, Jake realizes he is also responsible for the forest nation that took him in, so he makes some difficult decisions for their overall well-being and protection as well.
Worthington is known for roles like Marcus Wright in “Terminator: Salvation” (2009) Perseus in “Clash of the Titans,” (2010) and James ‘Monster’ Murray in “Sabotage” (2014). He has also most recently appeared as Ron Lafferty in “Under the Banner of Heaven.”
Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña)
Neytiri is the Na’vi love of Jake’s life. The story of their relationship can be found in the first “Avatar” film, in which Neytiri fell in love with Jake despite him being an outsider. Neytiri feels torn between her people and her love, but since she has started a new family, she ultimately devotes her energy to them and Jake.
Zoe Saldaña has appeared in many more sci-fi and fantasy franchises like the “Star Trek” films as Uhura and Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy as Gamora. She plays Laura in “The Adam Project” (2022) as well as Irma St. Clair in “Amsterdam” (2022). Most recently she played a crucial role in bringing to life the TV adaptation of Tembi Locke’s memoir “From Scratch,” which made it to limited series form on Netflix.
Kiri (Sigourney Weaver)
Kiri’s conception inside the Avatar body of the late scientist and researcher Grace (Sigourney Weaver) remains a mystery, but the young daughter of the lover of the Na’vi people carries on a lot of Grace’s characteristics, like her fascination with the creatures of Pandora and how the whole system of the planet connects. Jake and Neytiri adopt Kiri, but the young and gentle girl still feels out of place. She has the impressive ability to bond with any and all creatures, even the plants and control them or get them to do their bidding.
Sigourney Weaver played Dr. Grace Augustine, the most careful and observative guest on Pandora, in the first “Avatar” film. Weaver is also known for roles like Ripley in “Alien” (1979) and James Cameron’s sequel “Aliens.” She also played Dian Fossey in “Gorillas in the Mist” (1988). She has been nominated for three Oscars for her roles in “Aliens” (1986), “Working Girl” (1988) and “Gorillas in the Mist” (1988).
Quaritch (Stephen Lang)
Stephen Lang returns to Pandora in a reincarnation of sorts of his character from the first film: Colonel Miles Quaritch. Though Jake killed Quaritch’s human form and body on Pandora in “Avatar” (2009), scientists had prepared for such an event by storing his memories and essence on a backup hard drive to use for an Avatar body they inserted him into on Earth. Quaritch returns to Pandora with a vengeance, targeting Jake Sully for thwarting the military efforts of conquering Pandora in order to prepare it for humans since Earth’s survival is dwindling.
Lang has also appeared in “Manhunter” as Freddy Lounds, Ike Clanton in “Tombstone” and, more recently, The Blind Man in “Don’t Breathe” (2016).
Ronal (Kate Winslet)
Kate Winslet plays Ronal, a free diver of the Metkayina people and the wife of Tonowari. This is Winslet’s first time working with Cameron again after “Titanic,” and she’s also known for her performances in “Sense and Sensibility,” “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and “Steve Jobs.” She won an Oscar for “The Reader” and Emmys for her performances in “Mildred Pierce” and “Mare of Easttown.”
Tonowari (Cliff Curtis)
Cliff Curtis plays Tonowari, King of the Reef People and loyal husband to Ronal. Tonowari becomes more accepting of Jake and his family as time goes on. The two bond over fatherhood.
Curtis is known for playing Smiley in ‘Training Day” (2001), Searle in “Sunshine” (2007), Genesis in “The Dark Horse” (2014) and Yeshua in “Risen” (2016).
Neteyan (James Flatters)
Neteyan, first born son of Jake and Neytiri, often gets sucked into trouble by his younger and more daring brother Lo’ak (Britain Dalton). His father puts a lot of pressure on him as the oldest son to lead by example and take care of his siblings.
James Flatters appeared as Prince Tedros earlier this year in Netflix’s adaptation of “The School for Good and Evil” (2022) based on the popular book series by Soman Chainani. He is also known for portraying William Sinclair in “The Forgotten Battle” (2020).
Lo’ak (Britain Dalton)
Lo’ak embodies the classic mischievous younger brother whom Neteyan tries to shield from their ex-military father’s wrath. Lo’ak often lives more on the edge, soaring into the carnage of battle and going hunting beyond the reef even though he has barely mastered the technique of riding the underwater creatures. He bonds with tulkun outcast Payakan, who saves his life from a smaller sharklike creature when the reef divers abandon him outside the contained borders of their aquatic community.
Dalton has portrayed Jason Larson in “Goliath” (2016). He has also appeared in “Ready Player One” as a High School Kid and voiced Young nathan in “Uncharted 4: A Theif’s End.”
Tuk (Trinity Jo-Li Bliss)
Tuk is the youngest daughter of Jake and Neytiri. She always wants to accompany her brothers and sisters on adventures, though she can be a bit cumbersome when the kids have to flee all kinds of threats. Previous roles of Bliss include Gabriella in “Best Foot Forward” (2022) and Alexa Huh Garcia in “The Garcias” (2022).
Spider (Jack Champion)
Spider got left behind on Pandora when the marine forces trying to colonize it fled after Jake killed Colonel Quaritch, Spider’s father. The curly haired baby grew up into a spry young man who ambles around the forest with Jake’s children, despite the tension that he is not Na’vi. Spider and Kiri get along really well, and their bond suffers when the two get separated.
Champion has previously appeared in “Message in a Bottle” (2017), “The Night Sitter” (2018) and “Avengers: Endgame” as a kid on a bike.
Tsireya (Bailey Bass)
Tsireya, daughter of Ronal and Tonowari, helps Jake’s kids get their lay of the land (and ocean) when they first arrive at the Reef People’s island. She and Lo’ak seem to have a thing for each other as well, with sparks flying the moment she emerges from the water and Lo’ak lays eyes on her.
Bailey Bass also plaed Claudia in the AMC series “Interview with the Vampire,” and she has also appeared on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”.
Norm Spellman (Joel David Moore)
Norm returns to counsel Jake before he takes his family to the Reef People. The scientist and research partner of Sigourney Weaver’s character Dr. Grace Augustine still lends a helping hand when he can although distance separates him from Jake.
Joel David Moore has appeared as Owen in “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story” (2004) and more recently directed “Youth in Oregon” (2016). He appeared as Noah in “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D,” Jason Wright in “The Immaculate Room” (2022).
General Ardmore (Edie Falco)
General Ardmore has taken over operations of military conquest on Pandora, in the stead of Quaritch. He answers to her now, but he also takes point on going after Jake Sully.
Falco is known for her roles as Carmela Soprano on “The Sopranos” (1997-2009), Jackie Peyton on “Nurse Jackie” (2009-2015), and others like Leslie Abramson in “Law & Order True Crime” and Celeste Cunningham on “30 Rock.” More recently she has appeared as Abigail “Tommy” Thomas on “Tomy” (2020) and as Hillary Clinton in FX’s “Impeachment: American Crime Story.”
Scoresby (Brendan Cowell)
Brendan Cowell portrays Scoresby, the ruthless tulkun hunter who harpoons the mystical creatures for their bodily fluid that stops human aging. Cowl is most known for portraying Tom Jackson on TV Series “Love My Way” (2004-2007 as well as Constable Graham McGahan on “Noise” (2007). He also has writing credits on “Ruben Guthrie” (2015) and “The Outlaw Michael Howe” (2013).
Dr. Garvin (Jemaine Clement)
Dr. Garvin accompanies Scoresby on his hunting sprees, though not out of delight. Garvin’s research on the Tulkun proves useful, and it is funded by the yellow fluid they extract from the creatures, a vial of which sells for $80 million.
Jemaine Clement is known for appearances in “Flight of the Conchords,” “Men in Black 3” “What We Do in the Shadows” and “Moana.”
