IT’S OFTEN HARD to predict a breakout star, a supporting character who wins hearts and launches memes in equal measure. But when Payakan, that cheeky young orca-like tulkun, just about stole The Way Of Water from under the blue noses of the Na’vi, the reason seemed pretty clear. “I think the idea of having a giantsized whale as a puppy dog or a best friend goes a long way,” says Richard Baneham, VFX supervisor and executive producer on Fire And Ash. “He’s turned out to be one of the most popular characters.”
Concept art of Lo’ak and Payakan surfing by Dylan Cole