Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Sam Worthington Discuss ‘Fuze,’ Share Insights on ‘Avatar’ Sequels and ‘Horizon’ Delays
In David Mackenzie’s Tense Thriller ‘Fuze,’ an Unexploded WWII Bomb and a Robbery Threaten to Tear London Apart
A live World War II bomb buried beneath a bustling London construction site becomes ground zero for chaos in Fuze, a gripping British crime thriller from director David Mackenzie. Premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival, the film blends the ticking-clock intensity of a heist movie with the nerve-racking suspense of a disaster thriller.
Written by Ben Hopkins, Fuze stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Sam Worthington. As authorities race to evacuate the city, two forces collide: a bomb disposal team working against the clock, and a robbery crew exploiting the city-wide panic.
“I wanted to mash up the tensions of a heist movie with the urgency of an unexploded bomb scenario,” Mackenzie explains at TIFF. “In the U.K., it’s not uncommon for old WWII bombs to be found. It felt very real, very immediate. With Fuze, I wasn’t trying to deliver a message — I just wanted to make something thrilling, cinematic, and entertaining.”
Clocking in at just over 90 minutes, Fuze is Mackenzie’s leanest feature to date. “I want audiences to leave feeling like they’ve been on a wild ride — tense, relieved, and hopefully satisfied,” he adds.
Gugu Mbatha-Raw Embraces Grit and Grounded Realism
Playing Chief Superintendent Zuzana, Gugu Mbatha-Raw was immediately struck by the script’s pace and intensity.
“It felt like it was unfolding in real time,” she says. “I’d never played a police officer before, and I loved how grounded and gritty the role was. I spent time with real officers and visited command centers to prepare — it gave me a whole new perspective.”
Mbatha-Raw also praised Mackenzie’s immersive directing style. “His use of long takes and constantly moving cameras makes everything feel incredibly real. Even though I knew what was coming, I was on the edge of my seat watching it with an audience.”
Sam Worthington Returns to Mackenzie’s World
For Sam Worthington, Fuze was a chance to reunite with Mackenzie — and help shape a character that didn’t originally exist.
“I called David and asked if there was a role for me. He said everything was cast,” Worthington recalls. “But I saw something in this minor henchman in Theo’s crew. I asked if I could build something out of that, and David trusted me to run with it. That freedom was everything.”
Worthington, best known as Jake Sully in the Avatar series, values Mackenzie’s trust. “He believes in his actors. That kind of creative space is rare and powerful.”
A Collision Course Between Duty and Desperation
The film’s central tension rests on two opposing forces: the bomb squad and the robbery gang. Mackenzie credits Taylor-Johnson and James with embodying those contrasting energies.
“Aaron brought a grounded, authentic presence as a member of the Army EOD unit. Theo came in with this raw, visceral energy that worked perfectly for the chaos of the heist,” says the director.
Looking Ahead: Space Voyages and Soulful Stories
Though Fuze is a stripped-down thriller, Mackenzie hints at a more ambitious project in development — a sweeping, century-spanning space travel saga.
“It’s a 190-page script right now. Incredibly complex,” he teases. “If done right, it could be an unforgettable ride. I just need to find the right home for it.”
For Mbatha-Raw, Fuze adds another layer to her diverse filmography, but she’s always looking to push deeper. “I’d love to do a two-hander next — something really intimate and character-driven. I’m drawn to stories with emotional depth.”
Updates on Avatar and Horizon
Worthington also offered insight into upcoming installments of the Avatar saga. He confirmed that Avatar: The Way of Water and Avatar 3 were filmed back-to-back, with parts of Avatar 4 shot early to accommodate the aging of the younger cast.
“We filmed some scenes as far back as 2018 or 2019 because the kids needed to look the same,” he explains. “Jim [Cameron] has written all the way through to Avatar 5, and if audiences keep connecting, we’ll keep telling that story.”
As for Kevin Costner’s ambitious Horizon film series — in which Worthington had a major role — the project’s future remains uncertain.
“Kevin had written four films. I’ve read them all,” Worthington shares. “It’s something he spent 10 years developing. The passion’s there, but the continuation depends on how the audience responds. Timing is everything.”
