James Cameron is consistently at the forefront of filmmaking. Now with FIRE AND WATER: MAKING THE AVATAR FILMS, fans can get a glimpse at all the magic being made. 20th Century Studios and Lightstorm Entertainment present a two-part Avatar documentary that explores the making of James Cameron’s Oscar®-winning epic Avatar: The Way of Water and unveils a first look at the upcoming Avatar: Fire and Ash. Packed with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, concept art, and interviews with cast and crew, the documentary gives fans an inside look at how the Avatar movies were made.
Right from the start, James Cameron makes it clear that the Avatar films are a true collaborative effort, a fusion of art, innovation, and performance designed to bring his extraordinary vision to life for generations of fans. A common misconception about the Avatar franchise is that it’s simply a CGI-heavy science fiction series. In reality, it’s far more than that. Motion performance capture technology takes center stage, showcasing the talent and physicality of the cast. Every movement, expression, and subtle gesture is performed by the actors themselves, bringing emotional authenticity to Pandora’s breathtaking world.
The two-part documentary “Fire and Water: Making the Avatar Films” explores the groundbreaking movie magic and human ingenuity behind Cameron’s cinematic masterpieces. Viewers get a behind-the-scenes look at how real-time graphic rendering allows filmmakers to visualize scenes as they’re being created, helping Cameron and his team refine their storytelling in real time.
This in-depth Avatar documentary features exclusive interviews with many of the creative forces behind the films, including James Cameron (writer, director, producer, editor), Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Jon Landau (producer), Stephen Lang, Maria Battle Campbell (co-producer, 1st assistant director), Richard Baneham (executive producer, Lightstorm visual effects supervisor), Kate Winslet, Rae Sanchini (executive producer, president, Lightstorm Entertainment), and many more.
Throughout the series, Cameron expresses deep appreciation for every member of his cast and crew, often seen personally discussing scenes with actors before filming begins. Together, the team continues to redefine the boundaries of visual storytelling.
With Avatar: The Way of Water and the upcoming Avatar: Fire and Ash, Cameron and Lightstorm Entertainment are pioneering new, never-before-seen techniques in water-based visual effects and underwater performance capture. From solving challenges like bubbles disrupting camera systems to designing immersive aquatic environments, Fire and Water: Making the Avatar Films pulls back the curtain on the technology and artistry shaping the future of filmmaking, offering fans an exclusive preview of what’s next in the Avatar saga.
Explore the interviews and get lost in the World of Pandora when FIRE AND WATER: MAKING THE AVATAR FILMS will premiere on November 7, 2025, exclusively on Disney+
Check out all our previous coverage on Avatar and Avatar: Way of the Water
