Premiere of new Avatar film cancelled ‘out of deep respect’

WorldMovie
16 Dec 2025 • 3:30 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • The Australian premiere of the film Avatar: Fire and Ash in Sydney was cancelled following a deadly mass shooting at Bondi Beach.
  • The event, scheduled for Monday, was expected to feature director James Cameron and star Sam Worthington for a press junket.
  • Organisers stated the cancellation was made "out of deep respect for the victims of the Bondi shooting," expressing solidarity with the affected community.
  • The mass shooting occurred on Sunday night at a Bondi Beach Hanukkah celebration, resulting in at least 15 deaths and dozens of injuries.
  • Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the attack as "antisemitic terrorism" and a "targeted attack on Jewish Australians," though he later clarified there was no evidence linking the two suspected gunmen, a father and son, to ISIS, suggesting they acted as lone agents.

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