Last time Kate Winslet teamed up with James Cameron, on a little film about a very big boat, they made cinematic history. Now, they’re about to change the game all over again, with an appropriately aquatic comeback – Winslet is working with the director once more on long-awaited sequel Avatar: The Way Of Water. Their reunion is, in so many ways, titanic news – but for all the similarities to their last collaboration (lengthy production, lots of water, a ridiculously epic scale), Winslet is playing a very different character here than the love-struck Rose. As seen on the cover of our world-exclusive new Avatar: The Way Of Water issue, we can exclusively reveal that Winslet’s character is Na’vi warrior Ronal (pronounced ‘Ro-nail’). Along with Cliff Curtis’ Tonowari, Ronal leads the Metkaina clan, who dwells in the shallows of Pandora’s vast oceans – and will play a major part in the upcoming adventure.
“She is deeply loyal and a fearless leader,” Winslet tells empire of her big blue alien, teasing a female action hero in a similar mold to Sarah Connor, Ripley, and Avatar‘s own Neytiri. “She is strong. A warrior. Even in the face of grave danger, and with an unborn baby on board, she still joins her people and fights for what she holds most dear. Every family and their home. ” When Sam Worthington’s Jake and Zoe Saldaña’s Neytiri are displaced from their home and flee to the Metkayina’s waterworld, expect friction – the drama and conflict that tends to follow the Sully clan around means they won’t necessarily be welcomed with open arms…
For Winslet, working again with Cameron was a significant event – though their dynamic has shifted somewhat in the years since they made Titanic and smashed box-office records the world over. “Jim and I are both totally different people now to who we were 26 years ago,” she says. “He is calmer, and I am definitely more hyperactive now!” One thing’s for sure, though – Winslet was at one with the water this time around, throwing herself into the deep-end for the underwater shooting with her now-legendary freediving proficiency. How long did she stay under with a single breath? “Seven minutes and 14 seconds, baby!” she says – adding that “the most amazing thing for me as a middle-aged woman was to learn something not just new, but superhuman.” Get ready to return to the heart of the ocean.
empire‘s Avatar: The Way Of Water issue hits newsstands on Thursday 7 July, with unparalleled access to the film and its cast and crew – heading to Cameron’s Lightstorm HQ and talking to the director himself, as well as producer Jon Landau, stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, and plenty more. Plus, it’s stacked with never-before-seen images, opening up the world of Pandora like never before. Pre-order a copy online here – and return to empireonline.com for another major character reveal from The Way Of Watercoming tomorrow…
Avatar: The Way Of Water comes to UK cinemas from 16 December.