Avatar: Fire and Ash – Everything We Know

Following the events of The Way of Water, Avatar: Fire and Ash leads the series into a darker chapter.

Release Date

Avatar: Fire and Ash is scheduled to hit theaters on December 19, 2025.

It is the third entry in James Cameron’s ambitious five-film Avatar saga. The film was shot concurrently with Avatar: The Way of Water, with principal photography beginning on September 25, 2017, in New Zealand.

Plot

At over three hours, Fire and Ash will be the longest Avatar film yet.

Picking up directly after The Way of Water, Fire and Ash continues the journey of Jake Sully and Neytiri, now living among the ocean-dwelling Metkayina clan.

The story follows the Sully family as they face not only the ongoing threat of human colonizers (the RDA) but also internal conflict with a new Na’vi faction: the Ash People, a volcanic clan who have turned away from Eywa.

Audiences can expect aerial and aquatic battle sequences, including a dramatic air raid involving Ikran-mounted Ash People and Wind Traders’ hot-air balloons.

The film spans Pandora’s forests, oceans, volcanic regions, and high skies.

The film is described as a transitional chapter in the saga, setting up major developments for Avatar 4 and 5 while still functioning as a standalone adventure.

Tone and Themes

James Cameron describes Fire and Ash as the darkest and most emotionally complex film in the series so far.

Key themes in Avatar: Fire and Ash focus heavily on grief and loss, exploring how trauma shapes individuals and families, especially the Sullys in the wake of Neteyam’s death.

James Cameron has spoken about his frustration with Hollywood’s tendency to rush past grief, promising instead a more honest and emotional portrayal of this experience.

According to James Cameron, another central theme is supposedly the cycle of violence, with the film’s title itself –“fire” representing hatred and destruction, and “ash” symbolizing the sorrow and aftermath. The film will reflect how one feeds into the other.

The story also moves away from a simple good-versus-evil dichotomy, presenting moral ambiguity through flawed characters on both sides.

Additionally, the film explores cultural divisions, showing how differing beliefs and survival needs to create conflict not only between humans and the Na’vi but also among Na’vi clans themselves.

New Clans and Cultures

• Ash People (Mangkwan Clan): A fiery, warlike Na’vi tribe living near volcanic regions. Led by Varang (Oona Chaplin), they serve as major antagonists.

• Wind Traders (Tlalim Clan): A nomadic air-based Na’vi clan who travel via balloon-like airships. Led by Peylak (David Thewlis), they represent a new, neutral cultural force.

Characters and Cast

Returning Cast

• Sam Worthington as Jake SullyFormer human Marine turned Na’vi; leader of his family, now with the Metkayina clan.
• Zoe Saldaña as NeytiriFierce Na’vi warrior and Jake’s wife, struggling with grief and her role in the family.
• Britain Dalton as Lo’akJake’s second son and now narrator of the film; explores his bond with Payakan and steps into a central role.
• Trinity Jo-Li Bliss as Tuktirey ("Tuk")The youngest of the Sully children
• Jack Champion as Miles “Spider” SocorroThe human son of Quaritch, raised among the Na’vi. Will face major inner turmoil and shifting loyalties.
• Sigourney Weaver as KiriMysterious daughter of Grace’s Avatar, with a deep spiritual connection to Eywa and nature.
• Stephen Lang as Colonel Miles QuaritchNow a recombinant (Avatar body with human memories), he continues his vendetta.
• Kate Winslet as RonalPregnant Metkayina Tsahìk (spiritual leader) and Tonowari’s wife.
• Cliff Curtis as TonowariChieftain of the reef people of Metkayina; leads his clan through uneasy alliances.
• Bailey Bass as Tsireya ("Reya")Daughter of Tonowari and Ronal; a skilled diver and Lo’ak’s love interest.
• Filip Geljo as Ao’nungMetkayina hunter and Ronal’s son. Previously antagonistic toward Lo’ak.
• Duane Evans Jr. as RotxoAo’nung’s friend and fellow hunter of the Metkayina.
• Joel David Moore as Dr. Norm SpellmanFormer Avatar Program scientist. Will receive a new arc and direction in this film.
• Dileep Rao as Dr. Max PatelAvatar Program scientist aligned with Jake’s cause.
• CCH Pounder as Mo’atNeytiri’s mother and spiritual leader of the Omatikaya.
• Giovanni Ribisi as Parker SelfridgeFormer RDA executive, now returning as a main antagonist and strategic figure for Quaritch and the RDA.
• Edie Falco as General Frances ArdmoreCurrent military commander of RDA operations on Pandora.
• Brendan Cowell as Captain Mick ScoresbyRuthless tulkun hunter, returns after surviving Payakan’s attack.
• Jemaine Clement as Dr. Ian GarvinMarine biologist once affiliated with Scoresby.
• Matt Gerald as Corporal Lyle WainfleetRevived as a recombinant. Loyal to Quaritch, continues to battle the Na’vi.

New Characters

• Oona Chaplin as VarangLeader of the Ash People. Described as morally complex and willing to do “evil” for the good of her people. She’s a key antagonist of this installment.
• David Thewlis as PeylakLeader of the Wind Traders (airborne Na’vi clan).
• Ta’unui Tsahìk (actor likely: Jenn Stafford)Spiritual leader of the Ta’unui clan. Returning in a supporting role.
• Ta’nokA female tulkun, introduced as a new companion and possible love interest for Payakan.

Music

Simon Franglen returns as composer, continuing his work from The Way of Water.

Trailer

Want to take a look for yourself? Here's the trailer – just one click away.

Final Notes and Continuation

James Cameron has promised that Fire and Ash will defy expectations: “Whatever you think it’s going to be, it isn’t.”

Avatar 4 is scheduled for release in 2029. Filming is already partially complete.

Avatar 5 is due in 2031.