Sam Worthington, Cliff Curtis: Stars walk blue carpet for Avatar The Way of Water sneak peek

Aussie A-Listers Sam and Lara Worthington made a rare public appearance together on the blue carpet for a sneak peek of the long-awaited Avatar sequel.

It’s been 13 years since audiences were introduced to the world of Pandora in Avatar, and the first of four sequels has finally arrived in Sydney.

Aussie actor Sam Worthington and his model wife Lara were all smiles as they rolled out on the blue carpet for an intimate 3D footage screening at Hoyts Entertainment Quarter on Monday night.

The couple dressed in matching black ensembles, with Lara wearing a floor length black dress with cutout detailing.

“What’s Jim’s (James Cameron) designed, he hasn’t tried to replicate the first movie. He’s literally pushing it to be bigger and better than the first one,” Worthington told The Daily Telegraph.

“Not only is the technology extraordinarily increased, but we’ve got such an emotional story because it’s about the protection of a family who are in this war.”

Sam Worthington and Lara Worthington on the red carpet. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Lara Worthington arriving on the red carpet. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Sam Worthington chats on the red carpet last night. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Kiwi co-star Cliff Curtis. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Sam Worthington and Lara Worthington on the red carpet for his new movie Avatar: The Way of Water at Hoyts Entertainment Quarter in Sydney. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The 46-year-old and his Kiwi co-star Cliff Curtis, 54, walked the carpet together, fielding queries from a select group of media as film industry VIPs mingled over champagne.

“I’m still in awe of what I’ve seen of the movie. Technically, it’s miraculous. The scale of it is unparallelled,” Curtis said.

Amanda Keller and Brendan Jones. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Sam Worthington and Cliff Curtis. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Lara and Sam last night. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Lara Worthington pictured in her Instagram account.

“If you saw the first movie, that’s a drop in the ocean. Jim pushes so far into this universe. But what’s really shocking and suprirsing to me is how affecting it is emotionally. I start tearing up.”

Although Worthington is back on home soil to promote the sequel, he said the great thing about the franchise is that “it connects to everybody globally”.

“The first movie was about a young kid trying to fit in. Everybody goes through that, I think that’s why it connected. This one is about the protection and love of family. We’ve all got a mum. [Cameron] just raises the stakes, he puts that emotion that we can all identify with in an intergalactic battle.”

Screening attendees were strictly media and industry VIPS, who have been sworn not to share any spoilers from the 20 minutes of unseen teaser footage they got to preview.

Avatar: The Way of Water actors Sam Worthington and Cliff Curtis on the balcony at Bondi Icebergs Club over looking Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach. Picture: The Daily Telegraph

Avatar was considered a game-changer in 2009, one that lay the foundations for the special effects-heavy franchise blockbusters of today

The CGI-laden sci-fi epic quickly became one of the highest-grossing films of all time (raking in $4.5 billion).

It’s said that the sequel, which has an eye-watering runtime of three hours and 10 minutes,

took so long because director James Cameron needed the right technology to film motion capture underwater.

What was filming underwater like? “It was wet,” Worthington joked. “You’re spending months in these water tanks. It hasn’t been attempted before. When they strap the power packs to you, you think you’re going to get electrocuted, but you trust Jim.”

A screencap of the new Avatar: The Way of the Water film. Picture: 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

As in real life, the events of Avatar’s sequel take place more than a decade after the original.

Worthington reprises his role of ex-marine Jake Sully, and the sequel focuses on the survival of his family, as well as exploring different regions of the alien world.

Curtis plays Tonowari, the leader of an aquatic clan of Na’vi, with franchise newcomers Vin Diesel and Kate Winslet rounding out the starry cast.

Worthington and his glamorous wife Lara arrived to Sydney from New York on Monday, ahead of his whirlwind press junket to promote Avatar: The Way of Water, which will open in theatres on December 15.

Originally published as Sam Worthington, Cliff Curtis: Stars walk blue carpet for Avatar The Way of Water sneak peek