Avatar: Joel David Moore Glad Romance Subplot Between Norm & Trudy Was Cut

Actor and director Joel David Moore recently spoke to ComingSoon about Avatar: The Way of Water. While doing so, Moore discussed the cut subplot from the first Avatar that involved his character Norm’s relationship with Michelle Rodriguez’s Trudy.

When asked about his feelings surrounding the removal of said subplot, Moore admitted that he was glad to see it cut.

“I was very happy because that … every movie that you make, you cut, right? So as a director, I’ve learned this,” Moore stated. “I directed my first feature at 25-26. So I think it was a really good lesson on not being offended when things were cut on the acting side of things. But you have to approach and edit story first. Of course, you want to make sure that the action sequences are correct and the characters are well-evaluated. But you have to take a holistic view of your entire 30,000-foot view and say, ‘What drives my story the best so an audience is satiated at the end of this movie?’ And every moment that Michelle and I worked together, we became good friends. And every moment that we had, from hanging out and partying in New Zealand all the way to our on set work, was so wonderful and so precious, but unnecessary for that story.”

Moore went on to state that the real focus of the story was the relationship between the humans and the Na’vi.

“The story was about our relationship with the Na’vi and how we were going to assimilate into their society, into their culture, and learn from them and adapt to the behaviors that the Na’vi had and learn how to survive and to then fend off the traditional bad guys who were then going to attack their way of life,” the actor explained. “I think that, again, you’re seeing this sort of cyclical storyline in the sequel as well. Why is that important? Because I think that what Jim is trying to do is teach a lesson about what we are dealing with here on planet Earth.”

Avatar: The Way of Water was directed and co-written by James Cameron. It features the return of Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Joel David Moore, Dileep Rao, Stephen Lang, Matt Gerald, and Sigourney Weaver. Additional cast members include Kate Winslet, Edie Falco, Michelle Yeoh, Jemaine Clement, and Oona Chaplin, alongside a slate of young actors.

Three additional films are planned, with Avatar 3 tentatively scheduled for December 20, 2024, Avatar 4 set for December 18, 2026, and Avatar 5 on December 22, 2028.