‘AVATAR: Fire and Ash’ Australian Premiere Called-off out of Respect for the Victims of the Bondi Beach Attack
The star-studded IMAX premiere of James Cameron’s ‘AVATAR: Fire And Ash‘, was cancelled in the aftermath of the tragic shooting at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach.
Following the events on the popular beach, event organisers pulled the plug on what was set to be a big affair with juggernaut director James Cameron and homegrown leading man Sam Worthington both set to appear to launch the latest iteration of the sci-fi franchise.
The red carpet and screening were set to take place on Monday, just 24 hours removed from the terror attack, but hours before, event organisers released a statement confirming they weren’t going ahead with the screening.
The statement reads: “Out of deep respect for the victims of the Bondi shooting, the planned Avatar: Fire and Ash premiere event today in Sydney has been cancelled. Our hearts are with the community, the victims, their families and loved ones”
Fire and Ash is the third film in the Avatar franchise following 2009’s original and 2022’s sequel The way of Water, both of which went on to make over $2 billion dollars at the worldwide box office.
Worthington, one of Australia’s most notable actors, had arrived in Sydney from Wellington along with Cameron, with Sydney marking what would be near to the end of their global press tour as the third film rolled out in cinemas on the 18th of December.
The premiere marked one of many events around Sydney that were cancelled in the wake of the Bondi shooting which claimed the lives of 15 people and hospitalised 41 others, including four children.
NSW Police have formally charged 24-year-old Naveed Akram, with the other shooter, alleged to be his father, having been shot and killed by police at the scene.
The pair were allegedly targeting a Jewish Hanukkah celebration taking place at one of Sydney’s biggest tourist hotspots on the afternoon of December 14. Both the NSW Premier and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese publicly condemned the actions of the shooters, the scale of which had not been seen in Australia since the 1996 massacre of Port Arthur, which claimed the lives of 35 people and injured many more.
Both the NSW and federal governments have since made pledges to investigate possible “urgent legislation” in regard to Australian gun laws. The federal government has also put an extra $42.6 million into mental health support following the distressing scenes that were also captured on video by bystanders and circulated online.
In the midst of the chaos, local shop owner Ahmed Al Ahmed 43, leapt into action, disarming one of the gunmen and ended up in hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. Over the next few weeks, more than 43,000 people donated over $2.5 million to Ahmed, who has been internationally branded as a hero.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the article above or by the tragedy itself, the link below will take you to a list of hotlines.