A new behind-the-scenes shot from the production of Avatar 3 shows Michelle Yeoh giving manager James Cameron a hard time between takes. Yeoh was cast from the Avatar sequels as individual scientist Dr. Karina Mogue back in 2019 but has not been seen in any behind-the-scenes images or footage as yet. Generation on the sequels was ongoing in New Zealand, barring a COVID-enforced break and Los Angeles for the Last Few years. It’s set to last for a while yet as Cameron tries to take the first two back-to-back, followed by simultaneous production on Avatar 4 and Avatar 5.
Production has been so perplexing that Kate Winslet says she couldn’t tell Avatar two and Avatar 3 aside while filming. Hopefully, Cameron has more of a handle on things, since the undertaking seems to be among the most extensive attempts in cinema history. Cameron utilizes virtual production techniques initiated by The Mandalorian group and pushed forward submerged shooting styles to satisfactorily capture the undersea sequences that he needs for Avatar 2 and Avatar 3. Now, a new behind-the-scenes shot affirms Yeoh was recently on place shooting Avatar 3.
Posted by Avatar franchise manufacturer Jon Landau, who has collaborated with Cameron for the past three decades, the picture shows Yeoh and Cameron fooling around between set-ups on the place. Flanked by production staff and coming to cast member Giovanni Ribisi, Yeoh and Cameron can be observed playfully fighting each other, referencing Yeoh’s long career as a martial arts film star. The image shows that while the creation of the Avatar sequels is enormous, there are also time to have some fun. You can view Landau’s post below:
Given that Yeoh is playing a scientist, there are very little reason to believe she will be putting her considerable martial arts film experience on screen in Avatar 3. Still, this image is a sign that it’s a possibility. Beyond this, it’s clear she and Ribisi’s conflicted Parker Selfridge, who played a substantial part in the very first Avatar, share at least one scene in the sequels. There are not much else to go on, as much as Yeoh’s scientist is concerned, however, don’t be surprised if she drops on the wrong side of the individual equation.
What else is unclear is exactly how recent this image is. Cameron stated last year which Avatar 3 has nearly stopped filming, so it might be a throwback of sorts, though, of course, with Cameron, productions do tend to run on for months. Whether it’s more recent or from this last year, though, there’s no doubt Yeoh had a fantastic time on set, boding well for the final product, as joyful sets tend to create better films.