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D23 2024: All Things Avatar from The Ultimate Fan Event

August 19, 2024
August 19, 2024

Movies, Parks, Legends and more!

Image of James Cameron, Sam Worthington, and Zoe Saldaña on a stage.

2024’s D23 The Ultimate Fan Experience did not disappoint for fans of all things Avatar.

Before anything was even revealed at Friday night’s Disney Entertainment Showcase, fans were treated to an incredible Avatar Pavilion on the show floor equipped with a bioluminescent rainforest inspired by Omatikaya clan; costumes featured in Avatar: The Way of Water; life-sized statues of Jake and Neytiri; Echo, the adorable baby banshee and so much more.

Prior to exiting the Avatar Pavilion, guests got their first look at the All-New Interactive Shoulder Banshee hitting the Windtraders store at Pandora — The World of Avatar later this year. These new companions come in four different colors, have a bioluminescent glow and are able to recognize and interact with each other through new motion and sound animations.

Image of several Shoulder Banshees on a rock table.

To uproarious applause, James Cameron took to the stage during the Disney Entertainment Showcase to tee up a first look at the third installment of the Avatar franchise alongside co-stars Zoe Saldaña and Sam Worthington — Neytiri and Jake Sully respectively.

Image of James Cameron, Sam Worthington, and Zoe Saldaña on a stage.

The house lights dimmed to reveal concept art by co-production designer Dylan Cole, before revealing the new title…

Avatar: Fire and Ash logo

Avatar: Fire and Ash in theaters December 19, 2025.

Saturday’s Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase brought exciting updates for the Parks. Josh D’Amaro, Disney Experiences Chairman, revealed that Pandora is coming to Disney California Adventure.

Concept image of Pandora ad Disney California Adventure.

While Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is based on Avatar, the new destination coming to Disney California Adventure will be inspired by Avatar: The Way of Water and upcoming Avatar films. This new locale will give guests a brand-new way to experience Pandora.

Concept image of passengers on boat watching a Tulkun breach at Disney California Adventure.

You can find even more information on the Avatar update for Disney California Adventure here.

Image of Mickey Mouse, James Cameron, and Zoe Saldaña standing in front of James Cameron's Disney Legends plaque containing his hand prints.

To close out a weekend-long celebration, James Cameron was officially honored as a Disney Legend during Sunday night’s ceremony.

Other honorees from the 2024 class included Colleen Atwood, Angela Bassett, Martha Blanding, James L. Brooks, Jamie Lee Curtis, Miley Cyrus, Steve Ditko, Harrison Ford, Mark Henn, Frank Oz, Kelly Rippa, Joe Rohde and John Williams.

For full details on the Disney Legends Ceremony, you can read more here.

Gallery | Avatar @ D23

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    • Avatar Pavilion images by Line8 Photography

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