What did the Avatar 2 cast do to prepare for the film's underwater scenes?

The cast, including stars like Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, and Sigourney Weaver, first trained in tanks, learning to dive and hold their breath underwater. They then traveled to Hawaii to traverse a real reef, an experience that helped them "feel at one with nature" and directly inspired certain scenes in the film.

How did the nighttime dive in Hawaii influence Avatar 2?

During the nighttime dive, Sigourney Weaver's character was seen reaching out to touch a ray, a moment that was directly inspired by the actress' own underwater encounter with the marine creature.

What was the purpose of the Hawaii excursion for the Avatar 2 cast?

According to director James Cameron, the purpose of the Hawaii trip was to give the actors "an experience that would be as close to Pandoran as possible," enhancing their relationship with the water and allowing them to feel immersed in the fictional world of the film.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Avatar 2 Cast Dives Deep for Pandora-Inspired Underwater Scenes

Avatar 2 Cast Dives Deep for Pandora-Inspired Underwater Scenes

7 Nov

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Summary

Actors trained in tanks before filming real ocean dives in Hawaii
Director James Cameron wanted to give cast "an experience as close to Pandoran as possible"
Nighttime dives inspired scenes in the film, like Sigourney Weaver's character touching a ray

In November 2025, the highly anticipated Avatar sequel, The Way of Water, hit theaters to critical acclaim. Much of the film's praise has focused on the technical prowess of director James Cameron and his team, particularly when it comes to the movie's extensive underwater scenes set on the fictional planet of Pandora.

To ensure the actors were ready for these challenging aquatic sequences, Cameron and the production crew took extraordinary measures. The cast, including stars like Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, and Sigourney Weaver, first trained in tanks, learning to dive and hold their breath underwater. This preparation paid off, as the actors eventually gained the skills and comfort needed to traverse a real reef in Hawaii.