‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ star Trinity Bliss teases time jump in potential ‘Avatar’ sequels
Trinity Bliss stars as Tuk Sully in ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash.’ (Disney)
Trinity Bliss joined the world of Avatar when she was only 7 years old.
The 16-year-old actress has spent the better part of her life training, filming and promoting her breakout role as Tuk Sully, the youngest child of Neytiri and Jake Sully, in both Avatar: The Way of Water and Avatar: Fire and Ash. The latter film is now available to watch on all digital platforms.
“I have grown up with her, and she’s just such a big part of me and she’ll live in me forever because of that,” Bliss said. “I just saw myself in her in so many ways and I think that was, like, an exciting thing about discovering in her and through her and who she is from the training process to filming.”
Bliss relates to Tuk being the youngest child in the Sully family.
“We both just want to keep up with the older kids, and prove our worth and not be underestimated,” Bliss said. “She’s much more fearless than me, and I wish I could embody that. But even just the fact that she’s mixed race, I saw myself in her in so many ways.”
It’s no secret that Bliss wants to continue Tuk’s story in two more potential Avatar sequels. She says Tuk has been “stuck in this time capsule of being 8 and 9” while she was able to age in real life.
“I would just love to explore her in Avatar 4 and 5, and just see who she is as a teenager and who she evolves into, especially because in the time jump that happens in [Avatar] 4, so much happens to our characters that makes them grow so much in ways they really shouldn’t have to, but in ways that are also so important to who they are,” Bliss said. “I’m so excited at the idea of getting to see her in that way and play her at the age I’m at now.”
(L-R) Meredith Averill, Michael B. Jordan, Rebecca Yarros and Lisa Joy. (Courtesy of Prime Video)
Fourth Wing is taking flight.
The screen adaptation of the popular romantasy book by Rebecca Yarros has been ordered to series by Prime Video.
Oscar winner Michael B. Jordan is executive producing, along with Yarros and showrunner Meredith Averill. Lisa Joy will direct the first episode.
“I’m thrilled to be working with this dedicated, experienced team and grateful for their passion for both the books and the readership behind them,” Yarros said in a statement.
Fourth Wing follows the story of Violet Sorrengail, who is forced to enroll at Basgiath War College, where she joins hundreds of candidates working toward becoming elite dragon riders.
Amazon MGM Studios and Jordan’s Outlier Society acquired the rights to the books around the time the first book was released in 2023. There have since been two other books in the series, Iron Flame and Onyx Storm.
Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in the upcoming film ‘Michael.’ (Lionsgate)
Jaafar Jackson stars in the upcoming biopic Michael as Michael Jackson alongside Colman Domingo as his father, Joseph Jackson. Reflecting on their first meeting, Jaafar described what it was like to connect on set.
“I remember seeing Colman for the first time when I was at the Sony stages,” he told Miles Teller in a chat for InterviewMagazine. “[H]e came and visited while I was on stage rehearsing. He was just standing on the side of the stage looking at me, but I didn’t know.”
Afterward, “He walked up to me and we just hugged,” Jaafar recalled. “I really felt that love and protection from Colman throughout the entire shoot.”
“It was crazy for me to see him bring Joseph [Jackson] to life. He was so locked in, and we weren’t even rolling,” he added, noting that memories of his grandfather came to mind during filming.
He also described it as “very emotional” watching Nia Long portray his grandmother Katherine Jackson, and displaying “that love and that passion and those little subtleties that really make her who she is.”
Jaafar revealed it took him a year to tell his family about landing the role. While his mother was blown away, his father, Michael’s brother Jermaine Jackson, has yet to watch the film.
As for his own thoughts on his performance, Jaafar admitted he questioned some scenes but ultimately felt proud and continues to “find new things to appreciate.”
With the film coming out April 24, he said he’s most excited for audiences to see a more human side of Michael.
“A lot of people are familiar with the iconic moments, but there’s a whole emotional layer that hasn’t ever really been seen,” Jaafar said. “I feel like people will understand him a lot more.”
New Kids On The Block perform prior to the New York Giants taking on the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXV at Tampa Stadium on January 27, 1991 (Gin Ellis/Getty Images)
When Bad Bunny takes the stage at the Super Bowl on Sunday, he’ll be the first solo artist to headline a mostly Spanish-language halftime show. He previously appeared as a guest when Shakira and Jennifer Lopez co-headlined the show in 2020.
Considering he’s one of the world’s biggest stars, it’s probably not a surprise that the Grammy album of the year winner was chosen to headline one of the world’s biggest stages. But the concept of current big-name pop, rock or country stars performing at halftime only dates back to 1991, when New Kids on the Block headlined. Before that, halftime entertainment typically consisted of marching bands, legacy performers such as Chubby Checker or G-rated vocal troupes like Up with People.
What seemingly solidified the halftime show as a showcase for superstars was Michael Jackson‘s 1993 performance, featuring a huge inflatable globe and a choir of over 3,000 local children. After ratings increased between halves during the game, stars and spectacles were the rule going forward.
The halftime show has been plagued by controversy in recent years, starting with 2004’s infamous “Nipplegate” incident with Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson. That led the NFL to hire “safer” classic rock artists such as Bruce Springsteen as halftime performers. Pop stars returned in 2011 with the Black Eyed Peas‘ performance.
Controversies persist, though. During Madonna‘s 2012 performance, one of her guests, rapper M.I.A., flipped off the crowd. In 2016, Beyoncé was criticized for having backup dancers dressed in outfits reminiscent of the Black Panther political party. And in 2019, many fans felt that Maroon 5, Big Boi and Travis Scott should have declined to perform due to the NFL’s alleged treatment of Colin Kaepernick.
Bad Bunny’s announcement as the headliner also drew much backlash. As a result, a separate performance, billed as The All-American Halftime Show, has been counterprogrammed for Sunday on Turning Point USA’s YouTube channel.
Here’s a look back at who’s done the halftime show since 1991: 1991 — New Kids on the Block 1992 — Gloria Estefan 1993 — Michael Jackson, performing with 3,500 children 1994 — Country stars Clint Black, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt, Wynonna Judd and Naomi Judd 1995 — Patti LaBelle, Miami Sound Machine and Tony Bennett 1996 — Diana Ross 1997 — ZZ Top, James Brown, the Blues Brothers featuring Dan Aykroyd, John Goodman and James Belushi 1998 — Boyz II Men, Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves, The Temptations, Queen Latifah 1999 — Stevie Wonder, Gloria Estefan, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy 2000 — Phil Collins, Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias, Toni Braxton 2001 — Aerosmith, *NSYNC, Britney Spears, Nelly, Mary J. Blige 2002 — U2 2003 — Shania Twain, No Doubt, Sting 2004 — Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Nelly, Kid Rock, P. Diddy 2005 — Paul McCartney 2006 — The Rolling Stones 2007 — Prince 2008 — Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers 2009 — Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band 2010 — The Who 2011 — Black Eyed Peas 2012 — Madonna 2013 — Beyoncé (and Destiny’s Child, briefly) 2014 — Bruno Mars feat. Red Hot Chili Peppers 2015 — Katy Perry, Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliott 2016 — Coldplay, Beyoncé and Bruno Mars 2017 — Lady Gaga 2018 — Justin Timberlake 2019 — Maroon 5, Travis Scott, Big Boi 2020 — Jennifer Lopez and Shakira 2021 — The Weeknd 2022 — Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige and Snoop Dogg with 50 Cent and Anderson .Paak 2023 — Rihanna 2024 — Usher 2025 — Kendrick Lamar 2026 — Bad Bunny
