Londoners did a double take this morning as the Avatar-themed fire sculpture lit up the Thames
Avatar-inspired sculpture lights up The Thames
Londoners were left in awe as a spectacular fire sculpture, inspired by the Avatar film emblem, set the Thames alight. The 11-metre-tall artwork, taller than a four-storey building, a lighthouse or even three double-decker buses, towered over the river, weighing more than three tonnes.
The flaming masterpiece displayed the iconic banshee symbol, its five-metre wingspan spread wide in front of the films’ signature flaming ‘A’ emblem. This fiery spectacle marks the arrival of Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third blockbuster in the hugely successful franchise.
The display was being reignited on London’s South Bank ahead of the UK premiere, with stars such as Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Oona Chaplin, David Thewlis, Jemaine Clement and Jamie Flatters, along with costume designer Deborah Scott and composer Simon Franglen, all expected to make an appearance.
It took a dedicated team of over 20 people more than six weeks and 1,000 hours to construct the sculpture, using a kilometre of steel piping, 60 flame bars and 100 hoses to keep the fire blazing.
James Cameron, writer and director of the film, which hits cinemas on Friday 19 December, said: “London holds a special place in my heart.”
He added: “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 sculpture made its way west across the Thames through Tower Bridge aboard The Remus, a 32-metre-long barge.
The flaming artwork captures the spirit of fire at the heart of the new film, which dives into the darker side of Pandora as viewers meet the Ash People, led by the fierce Verang (Oona Chaplin).
Tonight’s fiery show will be hosted by Radio 1 DJ Melvin Odoom, followed by the star-studded UK premiere, where the cast will strut their stuff on the red carpet for the film’s European debut.
This London spectacle comes hot on the heels of the Avatar: Fire and Ash world premiere in LA and the European premiere in Paris.
