Director Andy Serkis unveils his immersive project ‘Nevatars’ at Venice Immersive, showcasing cutting-edge AR technology.
Director Andy Serkis has officially premiered ‘Nevatars’ at Venice Immersive, a project that reflects his long-held creative aspirations. This revelation comes from a report by Variety published on September 8, 2026.
‘Nevatars’ represents years of development for Serkis and his collaborator Jonathan Cavendish, who co-founded The Imaginarium, a studio known for its performance capture expertise. This initiative was born from a simple yet profound question: What happens to the stunning concept art of characters that never see the light of day? Serkis likens these “digital rejects” to embodied stories yearning to be told.
The project’s journey accelerated when Google’s immersive production division, 100 Zeroes, reached out for narratives suitable for augmented reality (AR). This partnership has positioned ‘Nevatars’ as an early adopter of Google's XREAL Aura smart glasses, enhancing the storytelling experience with a new layer of interactivity and realism.
In ‘Nevatars,’ audiences follow a young artist grappling with self-doubt and the pressures of conforming to commercial artistic standards. The narrative, marked by elements of chase and escape, centers on the artist's struggle to reclaim her creative freedom. The character dynamics emphasize universal themes like perfectionism and the importance of staying true to one’s original artistic vision.
With a voice cast featuring notable talents like Daisy Ridley, Josh Gad, and Kathleen Turner, this 30-minute XR experience blends conventional cinematic storytelling with immersive elements. As described by Boona’s Matthew O’Rourke, this unique approach creates moments reminiscent of an animated film while leveraging the innovative possibilities of immersive technology.
‘Nevatars’ was originally conceived for the Android XR platform and has now transitioned to benefit from the capabilities of the XREAL Aura. These Google-powered AR glasses are noted for their portability and lightweight design, which enhance the user experience. The inclusion of voice activation not only broadens storytelling possibilities but also fosters a sense of agency within the narrative.
According to The Imaginarium’s Phil Robertson, the effect of the glasses offers a level of augmentation that complements rather than isolates the viewer from their surroundings. This design enables an engaging integration of narrative elements into the user's environment, creating a distinctly unique experience.
As one of only two projects featured at Venice Immersive supported by the XREAL Aura, ‘Nevatars’ has drawn considerable attention. Attendees have reacted enthusiastically to the immersive storytelling and technical innovations on display. Serkis expressed excitement over witnessing first-time viewers interact with the project, comparing the experience to scenes from ‘Minority Report’ where reality blurs with digital overlays.
Looking ahead, Serkis and Cavendish are optimistic about the potential for ‘Nevatars’ to evolve into a cross-media intellectual property, emphasizing their commitment to pushing boundaries within the immersive storytelling space.
The unveiling of ‘Nevatars’ not only marks a significant step in the field of immersive storytelling but also highlights Andy Serkis's dedication to exploring new narrative formats. This innovative work sets the stage for future advancements in augmented reality content, potentially influencing how stories are told across various mediums. The project’s debut at a prestigious festival signifies its importance in bringing cutting-edge technology and storytelling together.
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