As we’re talking about the sequels to ‘Avatar‘ and the return of a character, I’m going to assume you’ve seen at least the first film and can expect some potential spoilers here. For starters you may be asking how Sigourney Weaver (‘Alien’,’The Cabin in the Woods‘) could return to the ‘Avatar’ universe to join fellow cast members Sam Worthington, Zoë Saldana and Stephen Lang especially since her character, Grace Augustine, died in the first film. Easy, bring her back as a brand new (or at least different) character!
That’s right, according to Cameron, “Her character of Grace Augustine, as fans know, died in the first movie, so she’s playing a different and in many ways more challenging character in the upcoming films.”
Her return shouldn’t be too surprising to anyone out there as Weaver is always great on screen and her role in ‘Avatar’ was no different. Not only that. but as she did die – as mentioned above – she was connected to the Na’vi’s world at the time of her death, so many of us were already most likely suspecting that she would somehow return as a reincarnation of her original character as either a Na’vi or part of their collective. This still may be the case as Cameron did state the role was considered both “different’ and “more challenging.” I’m sure that wasn’t by accident.
When you think about it, a human mind being transported into an entirely alien hive-mind kind of an environment could pose all kinds of issues. Either from being incompatible or just different. It could disrupt the entire ecosystem that it supports. It would be an interesting twist if she ended up unintentionally harming the environment and world that she gave her life trying to save and become a part of.
Weaver and Cameron have worked together in the past which is one of the reasons the director wanted her back in the ‘Avatar’ sequels:
“Sigourney and I have a long creative history, dating back to 1985 when we made Aliens. We’re good friends who’ve always worked well together, so it just feels right that she’s coming back for the Avatar sequels.”
Maybe after these films and ‘Battle Angel,’ he could get back on board the Alien franchise to give a reason to bring Ellen Ripley back to the big screen one last time.
So with Weaver returning for all three of the last film installments in the franchise, do you think they are going to have her play a newly born Na’vi, part of the natural collective they are a part of, or a completely new character in the world? Are you happy to hear that Sigourney will once again be working with Cameron? Share your thoughts below!
Sources: The Hollywood Reporter
