The trailer for Avatar: Fire and Ash the highly anticipated third chapter in James Cameron’s epic sci-fi saga has finally dropped, and it’s clear that big changes are coming to Pandora.
This time, audiences are introduced to the Mangkwan Clan, or Ash People a fierce new Na’vi tribe hardened by disaster and led by the fire-wielding Varang (played by Game of Thrones alum Oona Chaplin). Unlike the peaceful, ocean-dwelling Metkayina Clan from 2022’s The Way of Water, the Ash People live in a volcanic region decimated by eruption. Their world, and their leader, are shaped by destruction.
The trailer sets Varang up as a major adversary to Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) and her family, with one chilling moment featuring a tense standoff between Varang and Kiri (Sigourney Weaver). “Your goddess has no dominion here,” Varang says, draped in red and black, surrounded by fire and ash.
“She’s hardened by incredible hardship,” Cameron told Empire. “She will do anything for her people even things we might see as evil.”
Beyond the Ash People, the trailer also teases a new nomadic Na’vi group: the Wind Traders, who travel the skies aboard airborne ships pulled by massive, jellyfish-like creatures. David Thewlis joins the cast as their leader, Peylak. Also returning are Kate Winslet as Ronal and Jack Champion as Spider.
The trailer hints at high-stakes conflict: Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) appears to be captured by humans, and the lines between good and evil are increasingly blurred. “We’re trying to evolve beyond the ‘all humans bad, all Na’vi good’ paradigm,” Cameron said.
Avatar: Fire and Ash premieres in theaters December 19, marking three years since The Way of Water and 16 years since the original Avatar. The first two films were both Oscar-nominated for Best Picture, with The Way of Water becoming the highest-grossing film of 2022.
The saga will continue with Avatar 4 (due December 21, 2029) and Avatar 5 (slated for December 19, 2031).
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