Take a look behind the scenes of 'Avatar: The Way of Water,' including the giant tank where James Cameron filmed much of the movie

Travis ClarkJan 8, 2023, 18:27 IST

"The Way of Water" director James Cameron on the set.Disney/20th Century Studios

"Avatar: The Way of Water" is now the highest-grossing movie released in 2022.
Much of it was filmed in a 120-feet-long, 60-feet-wide, and 30-feet-deep tank.

"Avatar: The Way of Water" became the highest-grossing movie released in 2022 this week, passing "Top Gun: Maverick" with $1.5 billion globally.

Director James Cameron with star Sam Worthington.Disney/20th Century Studios

The movie, which cost $350 million to produce, was filmed in a number of formats, from 3D to Imax to high frame rate, for the biggest of big-screen experiences.

Cameron in the underwater set.Disney/20th Century Studios

Cameron used 3D cameras rather than converting the movie to 3D in post production.

Cameron filming on the set.Disney/20th Century Studios

High frame rate is intended to make the action in the movie look smoother.

The set of "Avatar: The Way of Water."Disney/20th Century Studios

Much of the reason that "The Way of Water" looks so good is because much of it was filmed in a 120-feet-long, 60-feet-wide, 30-feet-deep, and 250,000-gallon tank.

James Cameron standing over the giant tank.Disney/20th Century Studios

The cast learned to hold their breath for extended periods for filming.

Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, Zoe Saldana, and Sam Worthington in the tank, which was covered with balls so light wouldn't be reflected off the water.Disney/20th Century Studios

The "Way of Water" crew developed new methods to film motion capture underwater.

Two different motion-capture systems were used, one for below and one for above the water.Disney/20th Century Studios

"The Way of Water" and its underwater filming seem heavily inspired by Cameron's own passion for oceans and deep-sea diving.

Cameron and Edie Falco.Disney/20th Century Studios

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