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Here's what the cast of 'Avatar: The Way of Water' looks like in real life

Kirsten Acuna   

Here's what the cast of 'Avatar: The Way of Water' looks like in real life
In addition to returning actors, "Avatar: The Way of Water" features a bunch of new faces like Kate Winslet whose character names are easy to miss during a first watch.20th Century Studios, Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
  • "Avatar: The Way of Water," the sequel to the 2009 film, hits theaters on December 16.
  • Most of the new and returning cast is unrecognizable as nine-foot-tall CGI blue Na'vi creatures.

Sam Worthington reprises his role as Jake Sully.

Sam Worthington reprises his role as Jake Sully.
Sam Worthington as Jake Sully in "Avatar: The Way of Water."      20th Century Studios, Jesse Grant/Getty Images for 20th Century Studios

Jake went from a disabled human marine to the leader of the Na'vi warriors in "Avatar."

At the end of the first film, Jake left his human life behind to merge his consciousness with his avatar form. When we meet him again in "The Way of Water," he's now the clan leader.

Zoe Saldaña returns as his wife, Neytiri.

Zoe Saldaña returns as his wife, Neytiri.
Zoe Saldaña as Neytiri in "Avatar: The Way of Water."      20th Century Studios, StillMoving.net for Disney

The warrior is one of the leaders of the Omaticaya clan. In the sequel, Neytiri navigates parenthood as a mother of four. Together, the pair have two sons, a daughter, and an adopted daughter.

Jamie Flatters plays their oldest son, Neteyam.

Jamie Flatters plays their oldest son, Neteyam.
Jaimie Flatters plays Neteyam in "The Way of Water."      20th Century Studios, StillMoving.net for Disney

The Sullys' firstborn is considered the family's perfect child, following in his father's footsteps as a warrior.

Britain Dalton plays their second oldest child, Lo'ak.

Britain Dalton plays their second oldest child, Lo
Britain Dalton plays Lo'ak in "Avatar: The Way of Water."      20th Century Studios, Jesse Grant/Getty Images for 20th Century Studios

Throughout the sequel, Lo'ak feels like an outcast who's misunderstood and constantly disappoints his family.

Sigourney Weaver returns to play the Sullys' adopted daughter, Kiri.

Sigourney Weaver returns to play the Sullys
Sigourney Weaver as Kiri in "Avatar: The Way of Water."      20th Century Studios, StillMoving.net for Disney

In the first film, Weaver played a scientist, Dr. Grace Augustine, who headed up the Avatar program. She was killed before her consciousness could be transferred into her avatar.

In "The Way of Water," we're told at the film's start that Grace's avatar was mysteriously pregnant when she died. Kiri is the daughter of Grace's avatar in the sequel and gets taken in by the Sully clan.

If that's confusing, "The Way of Water" never further explains how Grace's seemingly immaculate conception occurred. It seems like something that may be further explained in a third film.

Trinity Jo-Li Bliss is the youngest Sully child, Tuk.

Trinity Jo-Li Bliss is the youngest Sully child, Tuk.
Trinity Jo-Li Bliss as Tuktirey in "Avatar: The Way of Water."      20th Century Studios, StillMoving.net for Disney

Tuk often tags along with Kiri and her brothers. Though she's referred to as Tuk in the film, the nickname's short for Tuktirey.

Jack Champion plays the kids' friend Miles aka Spider.

Jack Champion plays the kids
Jack Champion plays Spider in "The Way of Water."      20th Century Studios, StillMoving.net for Disney

As humans were forced off Pandora at the end of the first film, Spider was apparently left behind since babies can't be put into cryosleep for the journey back to Earth.

In turn, he was raised in part by the Na'vi and the humans who were allowed to stay on Pandora.

Edie Falco appears in the film as General Francis Ardmore the new leader of the Resources Development Administration's (RDA) armed forces on Pandora.

Edie Falco appears in the film as General Francis Ardmore the new leader of the Resources Development Administration
Edie Falco in "Avatar: The Way of Water."      20th Century Studios, Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

When they return to Pandora over a decade after the first film, Ardmore leads a new group of soldiers who construct a massive, 20-mile-wide walled city on the foreign moon.

With Earth dying, their goal is to seize control of Pandora and make it humanity's new home.

Stephen Lang returns as a version of his character from the first film, Colonel Miles Quaritch.

Stephen Lang returns as a version of his character from the first film, Colonel Miles Quaritch.
Stephen Lang in "Avatar: The Way of Water."      20th Century Studios, StillMoving.net for Disney

Since the last film, an upgrade to the Avatar program allows the RDA to start resurrecting dead soldiers by uploading their memories into avatars created from a blend of Na'vi and human DNA. A person no longer needs to be tethered to a device to remotely control these autonomous avatars.

Quaritch is part of an elite group of soldiers called recoms who were created to give the RDA a better chance at going up against the Na'vi.

Unlike the first film, Quaritch is on a self-serving revenge mission against Jake and his family for killing him in the first movie.

C.C.H. Pounder also briefly returns as Neytiri's mother, Mo'at, the clan's spiritual leader.

C.C.H. Pounder also briefly returns as Neytiri
C.C.H. Pounder plays Mo'at in "Avatar: The Way of Water." Here, she's seen in "Avatar."      20th Century Studios, Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Images

Neytiri and her family decide to leave Mo'at and the rest of the Omaticaya clan to protect them when Quaritch's group pursues Jake.

Kate Winslet joins the sequel as Ronal, the matriarch of a water clan.

Kate Winslet joins the sequel as Ronal, the matriarch of a water clan.
Kate Winslet in "Avatar: The Way of Water."      20th Century Studios, StillMoving.net for Disney

Ronal is the spiritual leader and healer of the Metkayina clan. Initially, Ronal's fervently against the Sullys joining their group, believing they'll bring their war with the humans to the Metkayina.

Cliff Curtis stars as her husband, Tonowari, the leader of the Mekayina clan.

Cliff Curtis stars as her husband, Tonowari, the leader of the Mekayina clan.
Cliff Curtis in "Avatar: The Way of Water."      20th Century Studios, Don Arnold/WireImage via Getty Images

Tonowari's considered a tough leader. He respects and welcomes the Sullys because of Jake's former role in the Omaticaya clan.

Bailey Bass plays their daughter Tsireya.

Bailey Bass plays their daughter Tsireya.
Bailey Bass as Tsireya in "Avatar: The Way of Water."      20th Century Studios, StillMoving.net for Disney

Tsireya instantly makes a connection with Jake and Neytiri's middle child, Lo'ak.

Filip Geljo plays her brother, Aonung.

Filip Geljo plays her brother, Aonung.
Filip Geljo in "Avatar: The Way of Water."      20th Century Studios, Math Problem of the Day/YouTube

Aonung is considered one of the clan's great warriors. He and his sister are begrudgingly tasked with teaching the Sully children how to acclimate to their way of life.

Aonung initially clashes with Lo'ak and Kiri, noticing their differences from most Na'vi.

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