James Cameron confirmed for Wellington Premiere of ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’
In a move that’s sure to electrify Kiwi film fans, 20th Century Studios and Lightstorm Entertainment have officially confirmed that legendary filmmaker and Oscar®-winner James Cameron will touch down in Wellington for the New Zealand premiere of Avatar: Fire and Ash. The long-awaited event will take over the iconic Embassy Theatre on Saturday, December 13, 2025, and this one is going to be massive.
Cameron’s return to New Zealand—his home base for the Avatar franchise, is a monumental moment for fans eagerly awaiting their journey back to Pandora. And he’s not coming alone. A collection of special guests and key creatives from Avatar: Fire and Ash will join him on the blue carpet, promising a night steeped in filmmaking magic and blockbuster excitement.
Avatar: Fire and Ash sees Cameron dive even deeper into the dazzling alien world he created, delivering an immersive new chapter led once again by Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), now fully evolved as a Na’vi leader, and the fierce and beloved Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña). This time, the story expands along with the Sully family as they face new threats, explore new territories, and encounter Pandora’s breathtaking environments and previously unseen clans.
The screenplay comes from the powerhouse team of James Cameron, Rick Jaffa, and Amanda Silver, working from a story crafted by Cameron, Jaffa, Silver, Josh Friedman, and Shane Salerno. And the returning cast is stacked with talent: Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Cliff Curtis, Kate Winslet, and a raft of franchise newcomers including Oona Chaplin, David Thewlis, Jemaine Clement, Bailey Bass, and more. It’s a sweeping ensemble that promises both emotional depth and epic-scale adventure.
New Zealand audiences won’t have to wait long after the premiere to dive into the action. Avatar: Fire and Ash opens exclusively in New Zealand cinemas on December 18, 2025, bringing with it jaw-dropping visuals, awe-inspiring new creatures, and the kind of next-level cinematic world-building that only James Cameron can deliver.
Get ready, Wellington, the king of Pandora is coming home, and Avatar: Fire and Ash is set to be one of the biggest cinematic events of the year.
Image: 20th Century Studios
