Well...it's finally here. Some people are glad. Some are dreading it. Some are practically screaming into the night with uncertainty how to feel. While James Cameron's filmography is one of ambition and constant diligence in detail, some felt his 2009 film Avatar was a generic cash-grab whose plot had been seen many, many, many times before. Cameron claims that part of the reason the sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water, took so long to make was he wanted to make sure he didn't get that criticism the second time. And now, after 13 years, the sequel will finally arrive in theaters in December 16th of this year with a third installment having already been filmed back-to-back with Way of Water. With a similar release date and a lot of intrigue still surrounding the first film (with the film reclaiming the top box office spot after a recent rerelease in China), Cameron is a perfectionist. Hopefully, he really did take the criticism and worked to make a superior film.
This time around, Jake Sully(Sam Worthington) and Ney'tiri (Zoe Saldaña) have formed a family and are doing everything to stay together. While it's been confirmed that the Na'vi will continue their war with the returning militaristic humans, it's been confirmed by the official synopsis that it will be made difficult by an ancient threat that resurfaces from within Pandora itself. That threat has yet to be confirmed, obviously being saved for the film's release in hopes of bringing a sizable crowd in. The teaser poster makes sure to give a similar design to the first film while conveying a sense of something different.
On a visual note, it's been teased for some time that, for one reason or another, Jake and his family must leave their home and explore the regions of Pandora with the ocean being a primary setting. As shown in the teaser trailer (which made it's premiere in front of screenings for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness this weekend), Cameron has made sure to deliver a beautiful follow-up. The question will be, with he have something to back the visuals this time around. Check out the teaser trailer and decide for yourselves:
Avatar: The Way of Water co-stars Stephen Lang, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel David Moore, Dileep Rao, CCH Pounder, Matt Gerald, Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, Edie Falco, Brendan Cowell, Michelle Yeoh, Jemaine Clement, Oona Chaplin, Vin Diesel, and CJ Jones.