The Avatar universe is finally ready to unleash its next chapter, and it’s bringing a major twist to the story of Pandora. After years of waiting since ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’, fans have now been given a glimpse into ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’, the third installment of James Cameron’s epic saga.
The glimpse introduced a new and deadly force: Varang, the mysterious leader of the Ash People.
‘Avatar: Fire And Ash’ Introducing Varansi Takes The Franchise Into Darker Territory
Revealed in a teaser exclusively attached to the upcoming ‘Fantastic Four: First Step’ film, the first look at Varang teases a bold direction for the franchise. Played by ‘Game of Thrones’ star Oona Chaplin, Varang is poised to become the most fearsome antagonist the Na’vi have ever faced, and she’s not human. That’s right: for the first time, a Na’vi has taken center stage as a villain. Moreover, the stakes have never felt more personal.
Varang’s appearance is immediately striking. Painted with red war markings across her forehead and down her nose, her look is terrifying. The markings, believed to be tied to the customs of the Ash People (Mangkwan Clan), instantly separate her from the Na’vi we’ve come to know through Jake Sully and Neytiri. The Ash People, from everything hinted at so far, live by a different code. They are not governed by the beliefs in Eywa or harmony with nature.
With her introduction, Cameron is taking the franchise deeper, not just visually but philosophically. We’ve seen the Na’vi fight off human invaders, but now we’ll see them turn inward. This internal clash is especially compelling given how much ‘The Way of Water’ focused on unity, family, and shared purpose. Now, that unity is at risk. And based on what little we’ve seen so far, Varang isn’t just a physical threat. She doesn’t just want land or power; she wants to tear down the foundation of Na’vi belief itself.
Spider’s Shocking Reunion With Quaritch In ‘Avatar: Fire And Ash’ Could Change Everything
But the conflict isn’t just on the battlefield; it’s deeply personal. Another major thread in ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ is the emotional return of Spider (Jack Champion) and his fractured relationship with his father, Colonel Miles Quaritch. While ‘The Way of Water’ ended with Spider choosing Jake and Neytiri over Quaritch, it was anything but a clean break. One of the most haunting moments of that film showed Neytiri threatening Spider’s life in order to save her daughter Kiri.
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Now, ‘Fire and Ash’ promises a dramatic reunion between father and son. A newly released image shows Spider and Quaritch facing one another once more, hinting at unresolved tension. And here’s the catch: Spider has never fully belonged. Despite bonding with Jake’s family, he’s human. Neytiri never accepted him as one of her own, and who could blame her? His father led the massacre of her people and killed her own father.
Even if Jake has tried to treat Spider like a son, that deep rift still lingers. So what happens when Varang’s rise, internal Na’vi division, and Spider’s own identity crisis collide? It’s entirely possible that ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ will explore Spider’s descent, or at least his alienation. Could he be manipulated by his father? Will he reject the Na’vi completely?
