‘Stranger Things’ Kids: High Schoolers ‘That Look Like They’re 27′

In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, James Cameron explained that one of the reasons he chose to film “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “Avatar 3,” and portions of “Avatar 4” all at once was to avoid what he called “the ‘Stranger Things’ effect,” or when child actors grow up so quickly between episodes that they eventually stop looking like children. A number of juvenile characters are introduced in “The Way of Water,” including Spider and Tuk (played by Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, now 13 years old but 7 years old when cast) (Jack Champion, who was 12 when cast but is now 18).

Cameron was aware he would need to film a significant portion of the movie because Champion was “growing like a plant” when he was cast.

Regarding her Navi child, Bliss told Variety, “She does not consider herself as the youngest.” “She may feel that the family is underestimating her despite their seeming protectiveness. She doesn’t think less of herself. She is quite interested and has a big heart. Anything she can to keep her loved ones and Pandora safe.  Every time I look at my little Tuk, I simply feel so much love.

Cameron not only shot two whole “Avatar” sequels at once, but he also waited until all the screenplays for “Avatar 2,” “Avatar 3,” “Avatar 4”, and “Avatar 5” were finished before beginning filming. He admitted to Collider that Peter Jackson’s approach was similar to his own.

They seized the opportunity to release all three of those movies, according to Cameron. The actors could always be shown what they needed to know about their character development because he had the novels’ plots laid out. So I felt compelled to follow suit. I have to act as though the books were already written. Therefore, the only way we could accomplish that was to write all of the scripts and give them to the actors so they could read them and understand the meaning behind their characters’ actions. Although it may not be feasible at the time, I believe the performers may incorporate it into their character preparation.

Currently showing in theatres is “Avatar: The Way of Water”