LONDONERS felt the heat today as a striking fire sculpture, inspired by the Avatar movie emblem, lit up the Thames.
The fiery display comes ahead of next Friday’s release of the third film in the franchise, Avatar: Fire and Ash, which hits cinemas on December 19.
The 11 metre tall artwork is as high as a four storey building and weighs more than three tonnes.
Towering over the water, it shows the iconic banshee symbol with its five metre wings spread in front of the blazing “A” emblem fans know from the films.
Crowds on the riverbank were left stunned as the inferno roared to life, marking the arrival of the hotly anticipated new movie.
The sculpture will be reignited tonight on London’s South Bank by cast members Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Oona Chaplin, David Thewlis, Jemaine Clement and Jamie Flatters, along with costume designer Deborah Scott and composer Simon Franglen.
A team of more than 20 people spent over six weeks and 1,000 hours building the beast.
It’s crafted from a kilometre of steel piping packed with 60 flame bars and 100 hoses to feed the fire.
Writer and director James Cameron said: “London holds a special place in my heart.
“To celebrate the upcoming release of the next instalment, Avatar: Fire and Ash.
“What better way than to be on the River Thames, under the iconic Tower Bridge, combining the elements of fire and water that are the lifeblood of the Avatar films.
“We can’t wait for you to journey back to Pandora with us.”
The flaming sculpture travelled west through Tower Bridge aboard The Remus, a thirty two metre barge.
It then burned bright for fifteen minutes as onlookers braved the early morning cold.
The display captures the fiery spirit of the new film, which explores the darker corners of Pandora as viewers meet the Ash People, ruled by the fierce Verang played by Oona Chaplin.
Tonight’s illumination, hosted by Radio 1 DJ Melvin Odoom, will be followed by the UK premiere where the cast walk the red carpet for the film’s European debut.
The London spectacle comes after world premieres in Los Angeles and Paris.
THE AVATAR FRANCHISE
AVATAR (2009)
James Cameron’s original film changed cinema forever.
The ground breaking 3D movie took viewers to the lush alien moon of Pandora as human soldier Jake Sully joined the Na’vi and fought back against mankind’s invasion.
It smashed every box office record going and became the highest grossing film of all time.
Critics hailed its jaw dropping visual effects and world building, with fans returning to cinemas again and again to watch it in 3D and IMAX.
AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER (2022)
Thirteen years later Cameron returned with an even bigger and much anticipated spectacle.
The sequel plunged audiences into Pandora’s oceans as Jake and Neytiri sought refuge with the sea dwelling Metkayina clan.
The film was praised for its stunning underwater effects, huge emotional story and technical wizardry.
It raked in billions to become one of the highest grossing movies in history and proved the franchise was still a global phenomenon.
AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH (2025)
The third chapter arrives next Friday December 19 and promises a darker turn.
This time viewers are going to meet the Ash People, a mysterious volcanic tribe led by the fierce Verang played by Oona Chaplin.
The story explores new corners of Pandora, new enemies and rising tensions as the planet faces fresh threats.
Early reactions from LA and Paris premiere screenings have praised its dramatic tone, fiery visuals and big emotional stakes.
Cameron says it’s the most ambitious instalment yet, setting up even bigger battles in the films still to come.
