Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Don't miss these
A crop of the 007 First Light hero art, showing a young James Bond aiming a handgun in front of a golden 007 logo background
James Bond Movies 007: First Light actor says Amazon "would be mad not to consider" the game's James Bond star for the upcoming reboot
Austin Abrams as Bryan in Resident Evil
Horror Movies New Resident Evil movie takes place "on the periphery" of Resident Evil 2, and everything else we learned from the set
Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides in Dune 3
Movies Upcoming movies: The most exciting new movies coming in 2026 and beyond
Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne during The Batman
DC Movies The Batman 2 release date, cast, plot, and everything else you need to know about the upcoming DC movie
Next James Bond
Action Movies Next James Bond: The 27 actors who could replace Daniel Craig as the new 007
Aang, Sokka and Katara standing on a stone wall during the series Avatar: The Last Airbender
Animated Movies Avatar: Aang leaks can't be stopped, as non-watermarked versions of the full movie appear online
Galadriel in The Rings of Power season 2
Lord of the Rings TV Shows The Rings of Power season 3 release date speculation, cast, plot, and more news
Will Smith as Dr. Robert Neville in I Am Legend
Action Movies I Am Legend 2 release date speculation, cast, plot, trailer, and everything we know about the upcoming horror sequel
Viggo Mortensen in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Lord of the Rings Movies Original Aragorn actor Viggo Mortensen approves of his Lord of the Rings recast in Hunt for Gollum
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 trailer screenshot of Gustav
RPGs Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Gustave actor says Sandfall "should get Robert Pattinson to play the part" for the movie
Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides in Dune 3
Sci-Fi Movies Dune 3: Everything we know so far about Denis Villeneuve's upcoming sequel
Viggo Mortensen in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Lord of the Rings Movies New Lord of the Rings movie confirms Aragorn recasting, but it's another returning character that's the biggest surprise
Matt Damon as Odysseus in armour in The Odyssey
Drama Movies Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey release date, cast, trailer, plot, and everything else we know
Elden Ring
Fantasy Movies Elden Ring movie release date, cast, director, and more
Aang, Sokka and Katara standing on a stone wall during the series Avatar: The Last Airbender
Animated Movies Aang director confirms the next Avatar movie has wrapped, but seems to be still fighting for a theatrical release
Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies

David Thewlis on playing a Na’vi in Avatar 2: "I’m fascinated to see how I’m going to look"

News
By Jane Crowther, Jack Shepherd published 29 May 2020

Exclusive: Total Film talks Avatar 2 with David Thewlis

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: 20th Century/Disney)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Over the course of lockdown, we've received a steady-stream of Avatar 2-related news. Multiple photos from behind-the-scenes have been posted online, showcasing just how intricate James Cameron's underwater sequel will be. Speaking to our sister publication Total Film in the news issue, David Thewlis – a newcomer to the series – talks about working on Avatar 2 and how the filming process worked.  

"I’ve got no idea what my scenes will be like because there are about 16 guys in the room with video cameras but they’re just shooting reference shots for Jim [Cameron] to look at later," he says. "What those guys are shooting will never be on the screen, what’s being shot is obviously on these sensors. There are about 200 around the room, doing their thing. 

"I am a Na’vi, I’m a blue thing in it – which I didn’t quite understand when I went to meet [Cameron]. I was quite surprised when I got offered that. I’m fascinated to see how I’m going to look, because they sort of make them look a bit like oneself. It’s fantastic!"

Article continues below
You may like
  • Jake Sully and Neytiri in Avatar: Fire and Ash Avatar star says the sci-fi franchise is "unlike Marvel movies" because "we can take more risks"
  • Oona Chaplin as Varang in Avatar: Fire and Ash Avatar's future seems secure as one producer says they're going "full speed ahead" on Avatar 4 and 5
  • Scytale standing among the Fremen I can't wait to see Robert Pattinson in Dune 3 – it's about time he played a blockbuster villain
  • Are you a Total Film fan? Subscribe to the magazine now and get exclusives – and more – sent directly to your door/device

Thewlis also speaks about the "weird" experience of being new to a franchise that's using groundbreaking special effects. 

"For the first time, I felt like a total newcomer, like it was my first job," he says. "I was on set having been working for 35 years on film sets and I was like, 'So what do we do? What’s that doing here? Why is he doing that? Do we do it now?' I felt very naïve. And of course, I was, because none of the rules applied from everything I’ve learned."

The full interview is available in the new issue of Total Film. Tenet adorns the cover of the magazine (order the issue here), which also includes extended interviews with Christopher Nolan, Robert Pattinson, John David Washington, Elizabeth Debicki, and Kenneth Branagh. Total Film subscribers will get an exclusive cover featuring John David Washington's protagonist, and the newsstand cover features Washington and Robert Pattinson. Check them out below.

Total Film's Tenet subscribers' cover

(Image credit: Warner Bros/Total Film)

Total Film's Tenet cover

(Image credit: Warner Bros/Total Film)

The issue is available in shops from Friday, and will also be available digitally for your tablet from wherever you get your digital mags. You can start a Total Film subscription beginning with issue 299 (the Tenet issue) by heading to MyFavouriteMagazines.

Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Tenet is scheduled to open in cinemas on July 17, 2020.

Jack Shepherd
Jack Shepherd
Social Links Navigation
Freelance Journalist

Jack Shepherd is the former Senior Entertainment Editor of GamesRadar. Jack used to work at The Independent as a general culture writer before specializing in TV and film for the likes of GR+, Total Film, SFX, and others. You can now find Jack working as a freelance journalist and editor.

Read more
Jake Sully and Neytiri in Avatar: Fire and Ash
Sci-Fi Movies Avatar star says the sci-fi franchise is "unlike Marvel movies" because "we can take more risks"
 
 
Oona Chaplin as Varang in Avatar: Fire and Ash
Sci-Fi Movies Avatar's future seems secure as one producer says they're going "full speed ahead" on Avatar 4 and 5
 
 
Scytale standing among the Fremen
Sci-Fi Movies I can't wait to see Robert Pattinson in Dune 3 – it's about time he played a blockbuster villain
 
 
A Na'vi draws a bow in Avatar: Fire and Ash
Sci-Fi Movies James Cameron says Avatar 4 is still "very likely", despite Fire and Ash making $870 million less than The Way of Water
 
 
Tom holland as Telemachus in The Odyssey
Fantasy Movies Tom Holland can't believe Christopher Nolan's movie magic on "masterpiece" The Odyssey
 
 
Matt Damon as Odysseus in armour in The Odyssey
Action Movies Christopher Nolan says The Odyssey was "an absolute nightmare" to film – and from the new footage reports I can understand why
 
 
Latest in Movies
Evangeline Lilly in Ant-Man and the Wasp
Marvel Movies MCU actor Evangeline Lilly slams Disney for "turning their back" on artists after mass Marvel layoffs: "Shame on you"
 
 
Tilly Norwood
Drama Movies New Oscars rules ban Generative AI from ever being eligible for an Academy Award
 
 
Adam Scott as Ohm in Hokum
Horror Movies 5 horror movies made by comedy stars to watch after Adam Scott's new scary flick Hokum
 
 
Andrew Garfield in The Amazing Spider-Man
Marvel Movies Invincible creator Robert Kirkman has no love for Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man sequel: "[It's] dogsh**t"
 
 
Mortal Kombat 2
Action Movies Mortal Kombat 2 writer called up co-creator Ed Boon for advice on the "best fatalities and stages" to put in the sequel
 
 
Viggo Mortensen in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Lord of the Rings Movies Original Aragorn actor Viggo Mortensen approves of his Lord of the Rings recast in Hunt for Gollum
 
 
Latest in News
Marathon Thief shell in dark lighting
FPS Games Bungie doesn't see Marathon going anywhere: "We know where we want to take the story over the next few years"
 
 
Dragon Quest 11 S
Dragon Quest Former Dragon Quest director says JRPG icon Yuji Horii taught him the series is "not about the storyline"
 
 
Steam Machine with beige backdrop and sad face on front made from closed bracket and colon.
Desktop PCs Valve wants to price Steam Machine as competitively as possible, but fears RAM shortages "will impact anything we make"
 
 
Macduff running from a monster during the upcoming PS5 game, Crimson Desert.
Open World Games Crimson Desert combat "became less frequent" as players progressed, so a new patch adds rematches for 69 bosses
 
 
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse
Action Games Castlevania: Belmont's Curse exists because Konami loved Evil Empire's Dead Cells crossover pitch
 
 
Evangeline Lilly in Ant-Man and the Wasp
Marvel Movies MCU actor Evangeline Lilly slams Disney for "turning their back" on artists after mass Marvel layoffs: "Shame on you"
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Mortal Kombat 2
    1
    Mortal Kombat 2 writer called up co-creator Ed Boon for advice on the "best fatalities and stages" to put in the sequel
  2. 2
    10 Best RPGs where you can expect the unexpected
  3. 3
    Settle in with the best Star Wars board games this May 4
  4. 4
    Bungie doesn't see Marathon going anywhere: "We know where we want to take the story over the next few years"
  5. 5
    The weirdest anime out right now is also this season's best, and it's not Witch Hat Atelier

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...