The first-look image of Jake & Neytiri's adopted human son in Avatar 2 has been revealed. Directed by James Cameron, Avatar 2 will follow the exploits of Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), both of the Na'vi tribe on the planet Pandora who overcame an invading force of humans attempting to mine the planet in the first film. The sequel also stars Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Yeoh, Giovanni Ribisi, Kate Winslet, Jemaine Clement, and Stephen Lang.
After the events of Avatar, Jake and Neytiri will face another round of humans invading the planet, fleeing to the reef region of Pandora to escape and build allies, particularly with a clan called the Metkayina. Producer Jon Landau has previously revealed that a significant focus of the new film (and the sequels) will revolve around family, as Cameron's work typically revolves around universal themes. "At the center of each of our sequels is the Sully family," Landau said, and it appears that the family just got bigger with a very interesting addition.
Now, via also have Na'vi children, including Neteyam (Jamie Flatters), Lo'ak (Britain Dalton), and Tuktirey (Trinity Bliss). Producer Jon Landau explains the situation, saying:
“Jake took him in but Neytiri always saw him as one of the people who destroyed her home and killed her father. So you have all these dynamics playing out.”
Landau explains that the family element will be a critical aspect of the film, alongside the newer ocean-themed setting and action set pieces, creating a dynamic that expands on the themes of the first film. "Jake comes from the human world, Neytiri from the Na’vi world. So, they’re like a modern mixed-race couple, raising kids who perhaps feel they don’t belong to one world or another," says Landau. Cameron has said that the settings of Avatar will evolve throughout the sequels, with the saga unfolding on Earth as well as on Pandora and the offspring of Jake and Neytiri growing with each new film.
It's been 13 years since Avatar first debuted in theaters, and many have moved on from the franchise with little more than a parting glance, so it remains to be seen if Avatar 2 can capture the imaginations of audiences the way it did the first time. Avatar stands as the highest-grossing film of all time, recently unseating its challenger, Avengers: Endgame, to reclaim the box office throne. It will be interesting to see how Avatar 2 measures up for the franchise and if it's enough to warrant multiple sequels with new characters, new settings, new technology, and new kids.
Source: Empire
