James Cameron, director of Avatar: The Way of Water, describes the jet pack technology used to film the movie's underwater sequences. Cameron's record-breaking 2009 movie Avatar famously utilized cutting-edge CGI technology, as well as ushering in the 3-D craze that swept theaters in the 2010s. The director has taken more than a decade to map out the remainder of the franchise, due to his interest in waiting for technology to catch up to his ambitions. The trailers and behind-the-scenes photos from sequel film Avatar: The Way of Water have proven so far that he was right to wait, with stunning underwater visuals that are the result of Cameron and his crew upgrading motion-capture suits and cameras so they can work underwater, and then filming in a 900,000-gallon tank that mimics the ocean's natural movements.

While speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Cameron goes into more detail about Avatar: The Way of Water's much-teased underwater technology. The film is set to introduce a Na'vi clan that has adapted to survive in the waters of Pandora, called the Metkayina. Rather than sporting webbed feet to signify their biological adaptation to the water, the Metkayina have tails and "strakes" (fins) that help them move. To bring that very specific movement to life, Cameron reveals the actors used "jet packs" to navigate the water. See what Cameron has to say about their swimming below:

We essentially gave them jet packs, and they were able to trigger the jet packs themselves on the fly. So they'd complete a stroke, and when they're in the glide phase of the stroke, they'd trigger the jet pack with a little tiny switch and it would push them forward a couple of meters. They'd move their hips like they had a tail. We called it the crocodile swim.

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Can The Way Of Water Top 2009's Avatar?

Avatar 2 Underwater Images

Cameron's explanation of the fascinating technology used to achieve the Metkayina's movements is the epitome of what inspires audiences about the Avatar franchise. The director's groundbreaking approach to utilizing existing technology in innovative ways to meet his goals has resulted in both Avatar's historic box-office success and Avatar: The Way of Water's impressive visual effects advancements. After more than a decade, the hype is high for the Avatar sequel, since the first remains the highest-grossing movie of all time.

It's unlikely that Avatar: The Way of Water will be able to match Avatar in terms of box-office numbers, given the decline in theater attendance and diversification of the movie industry since 2009. However, Top Gun: Maverick proved that movies released in 2022 still have a fighting chance to break records, with the Tom Cruise-led Top Gun legacy sequel clawing its way to number 11 on the list of highest-grossing films of all time. The anticipation for Avatar: The Way of Water may drive the sequel to surpass its predecessor, but even if it doesn't, the trailers have teased that the movie could outdo Avatar in other ways.

Though Avatar remains a historic success, it's not without detractors. Primarily, some critics have described the story as lackluster, substituting flashy technology and lush visuals for a meaningful narrative. While the story and emotional beats of Avatar may not have been memorable for some, Avatar: The Way of Water seems to be combining both incredible CGI technology, innovative film techniques, and a story rooted in character development and relationships. Depending on how successful the film is in delivering a satisfying and emotional narrative, viewers may come for the visuals and come back for the story, giving Avatar: The Way of Water a potential edge in terms of box-office attendance.

Next: Avatar 2's Underwater Tech Risks Repeating The First Movie's Mistake

Source: EW

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