‘Fire & Water: Making The Avatar Films’ Trailer: Two-Part Special Documentary Arrives November 7 On Disney+

In December, audiences will be able to return to Pandora for “Avatar: Fire & Ash,” the third installment of James Cameron‘s epic sci-fi fantasy saga. In the meantime, Disney+ and 20th Century Studios are about to release a special behind-the-scenes look at the making of the previous film, “Avatar: The Way of Water,” called “Fire & Water: Making The Avatar Films.”

While we’ve previously seen how the first movie was made on the sparse stages at the Manhattan Beach facility, the second one added a huge new element to the motion capture process, and that was the oceans of Pandora. Instead of simply relying on VFX, they decided to go with a massive 680,000-gallon practical water tank to shoot the extensive underwater scenes for “The Way of Water.” As the actors, while in their cumbersome mo-cap suits, were expected to hold their breath for insane amounts of time.

The doc from Mob Scene features interviews from Cameron, the late producer Jon Landau, alongside cast, crew, and VFX team detailing their experiences making the film.

READ MORE: James Cameron Says The “Jury Is Still Out” On Whether He Makes ‘Avatar 4 & 5’ Citing “Metric Shit Ton” Cost

An official logline for the two-part documentary courtesy of Disney:

The two-part documentary from 20th Century Studios and Lightstorm Entertainment, which provides a fascinating glimpse into the making of the Oscar-winning box office phenomenon “Avatar: The Way of Water” and a first look at the upcoming “Avatar: Fire & Ash,” features exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, concept art, and interviews with cast and filmmakers. The filmmakers traveled from Manhattan Beach, San Pedro, Shasta Lake, and the Channel Islands to the Bahamas, Hawaii, and New Zealand, to follow the cast and below-the-line team as they work to hone and perfect the techniques of underwater performance capture technology and learn to free dive in a massive, state-of-the-art 680,000-gallon water tank.

Cameron has been recently musing on the idea of not directing the next two planned “Avatar” sequels as the Oscar-winning filmmaker is putting together other directorial ventures such as his Japanese-set WWII drama “Ghosts of Hiroshima“ and his fantasy action flick “The Devils.” He’s also been chatting with Disney about making an animated project set in the franchise similar to “The Animatrix” anthology film.

READ MORE: Billie Eilish & ‘Avatar: Fire & Ash’ Director James Cameron Teaming For 3D Concert Project

You can watch that newly released trailer for the special below as “Fire & Water” debuts on November 7, and the third movie hits theaters on December 19.