Kiri (Sigourney Weaver) in 20th Century Studios’ AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Sigourney Weaver remains one of the essential creative pillars of Avatar, and her ongoing collaboration with Zoe Saldaña has become a defining part of the franchise’s emotional core. Having appeared in each of the first three films and already signed on for the next two, Weaver’s connection to the world of Pandora continues to evolve in surprising and unconventional ways.
Among the franchise’s core cast, Weaver stands alone in one key respect. While most returning actors have continued portraying the same characters they introduced in the original 2009 film, Weaver took on an entirely new role beginning with the second installment. Following the death of Dr. Grace Augustine, she returned not as her original human character but as Kiri, the teenage daughter of Grace’s Na’vi avatar.
In the ever expanding mythology of Avatar, where consciousness transfer, genetic engineering, and spiritual connection are central themes, the transition feels organic. Still, it marked a significant creative shift for Weaver, who suddenly found herself portraying a young Na’vi character navigating adolescence, identity, and belonging within Pandora’s complex society.
Sigourney Weaver and Zoe Saldaña in the Avatar Franchise
By stepping fully into the Na’vi world, Weaver’s on screen relationships also changed. Sigourney Weaver’s collaboration with Zoe Saldaña became a central part of the evolving Avatar franchise. Her scenes moved away from the human scientists and military figures featured in the first film. Instead, they placed her among the Omaticaya and Metkayina clans.
This shift meant working more closely with Zoe Saldaña, who plays Neytiri. Within the story, Neytiri becomes the adoptive mother of Weaver’s character. Their bond grows across the sequels and becomes central to the franchise’s emotional arc.
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Collaboration Beyond the Screen
For Weaver, spending extended time working with Saldaña throughout the sequels has been rewarding both professionally and personally. The demands of the Avatar productions include lengthy shoots and extensive motion capture work. The physically immersive performances also require a level of trust and camaraderie that goes beyond a typical film set.
Weaver has said that developing this relationship across multiple films allowed their performances to deepen naturally. That growth reflects the evolving family dynamics seen on screen. Exploring those emotional layers within such an ambitious and technologically advanced filmmaking environment has become one of the most fulfilling aspects of the franchise for her.
Continuing the Journey in Avatar Fire and Ash
As the Avatar franchise moves forward with additional installments in development, Sigourney Weaver’s unique role continues to stand out. Playing a character who bridges generations and identities within Pandora allows her to explore new creative territory. At the same time, it keeps her firmly rooted in the saga’s legacy.
With Avatar Fire and Ash now playing in theaters, audiences are once again seeing how Weaver’s evolving presence anchors the emotional core of the series. As the story continues to expand, her journey from human scientist to Na’vi daughter remains one of the franchise’s most compelling transformations.
