Avatar: Fire and Ash: Title of third franchise instalment hints at discord among Na'vi

Movie tells the story of a violent tribe that lives within Pandora’s volcanic areas

Zoe Saldana and Sam Worthington will be reprising their roles as the franchise’s lead in Avatar: Fire and Ash. AP

The title of the third Avatar instalment has been revealed as Avatar: Fire and Ash, hinting at the narrative that may drive the next chapter of the saga.

The latest movie will tread into unexplored areas within Pandora, the fictional exomoon that is the setting for the film series. The 2022 film Avatar: The Way of the Water already did so by introducing viewers to the Metkayina Clan, an oceanic tribe of Na'vi that lives along the shores of Pandora. But the coming instalment will take this elemental theme a step further as Avatar: Fire and Ash will revolve around a tribe that lives within Pandora’s volcanic areas.

What is Avatar: Fire and Ash about?

“You’ll see a lot more Pandora that you never saw before,” James Cameron said at Disney’s D23 event, where the director revealed the film’s title alongside returning stars Zoe Saldana and Sam Worthington.

“It’s an insane adventure and a feast for the eyes, but it’s also got very high emotional stakes, more than ever before,” Cameron said. “We’re going into really challenging territory for all the characters you know and love.”

The Ash People that will feature in the film, Cameron hinted, maybe the most violence-prone yet. “There are new characters, one especially I think you’re gonna love, or love to hate,” he said.

This suggests that Na’vi tribes may be turning against each other. It’ll mark the first time that humans aren’t the only antagonists in the films, perhaps setting a new tone for the franchise.

Cameron had hinted at discord within the Na’vi in 2022, telling the French newspaper 20 Minutes: "I want to reveal the Na'vi from another angle because I have only shown their good sides.

“In the early films, there are very negative human examples and very positive Na'vi examples. In Avatar 3, we'll do the reverse."

Who will be joining the cast of Avatar 3?

Oona Chaplin, perhaps best known for depicting Talisa Stark on Game of Thrones, will be taking on the role of Varang, leader of the Ash clan.

Other newcomers include Everything Everywhere All at Once star Michelle Yeoh. She will be taking on the role of a new human character, Dr Karina Mogue. Also set to join is David Thewlis, who famously took on the character of Remus Lupin in the Harry Potter films. Thewlis is rumoured to be playing a Na’vi character named Peylak.

Saldana and Worthington will be reprising their roles as the franchise’s lead, alongside Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Joel David Moore, Giovanni Ribisi and Kate Winslet.

When will Avatar: Fire and Ash be released?

Avatar: Fire and Ash has already finished filming. Shooting began alongside Avatar: The Way of the Water and wrapped in December 2020, after three years. Cameron had initially conceived the two films as one title but ultimately decided to split them.

The film is undergoing meticulous post-production, which hopefully means it will be as much a visual spectacle as the films that came before it.

The film is set for a December 2025 release date.