Avatar: Zoe Saldaña & Kate Winslet Played Multiple Characters, James Cameron Reveals

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James Cameron shared that Zoe Saldaña and Kate Winslet both portray more than one character throughout the Avatar movies.

Last month, 20th Century Studios released Avatar: Fire and Ash, the newest installment in the Avatar series. Zoe Saldaña is back as Neytiri, and Kate Winslet returns as Ronal in this sequel to both Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water.

What did James Cameron say about Zoe Saldaña & Kate Winslet’s Avatar characters?

In a discussion with The Hollywood Reporter, director James Cameron revealed that Zoe Saldaña and Kate Winslet portray several different characters throughout the Avatar movies.

Cameron explained that performance capture allows actors to easily portray different characters. He noted that if Zoe Saldaña got tired of playing one role during the first film, she could simply switch to another character for a scene, and Kate Winslet did the same. Winslet ended up playing around three different characters, while Saldaña played three or four.

Cameron explained that they use a versatile group of actors for performance capture. He calls them his ‘Swiss Army knife’ because they’re able to play a wide range of characters – an old man one day, a child the next, and even a warrior. This approach allows for a lot of flexibility and ensures everyone gets a chance to contribute.

When you’re filming with a major star, everyone knows when it’s time for their close-up, and everything pauses to prepare. But with performance capture, we focus on genuinely capturing the interaction between actors in the moment, and we worry about getting all the necessary shots later. There aren’t any designated ‘close-ups,’ so it feels more like everyone on set is on equal footing.

You can currently watch the first two Avatar films on Disney+, and Avatar 3 is still showing in cinemas.

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2026-01-14 19:17