During the D23 expo on Friday, James Cameron, along with stars Zoe Saldaña and Sam Worthington, revealed the official title for the third installment of the “Avatar” series: “Avatar: Fire and Ash.”
While no footage was shown, Cameron did present concept art from the film, including images of Neytiri (Saldaña) on a banshee, massive airships, and a first look at the menacing Ash People of the Na’vi, depicted with ghostly soot and otherworldly masks around a large fire pit.
Cameron teased that the upcoming film will explore new aspects of Pandora, promising a visually spectacular adventure with heightened emotional stakes. “This installment pushes the characters into new and challenging scenarios,” Cameron revealed. “We’re venturing into territories that will test everyone you know and love.”
“Fire and Ash” was filmed alongside 2022’s “Avatar: The Way of Water,” which depicted the ongoing conflict between humanity and the Na’vi following the return of the Resources Development Administration (RDA) to Pandora.
By the end of “The Way of Water,” Jake Sully (Worthington) and Neytiri (Saldaña) repel an RDA attack on the Metkayina clan and their whale-like Tulkuns, though their eldest son is lost and the RDA remains entrenched.
The new film will follow Jake and Neytiri’s encounters with the Ash People, a clan Cameron suggests is more aggressive than others. Oona Chaplin will portray Varang, the leader of the Ash People, with David Thewlis and Michelle Yeoh also joining the cast.
Returning actors include Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Kate Winslet, and others. Cameron, Rick Jaffa, and Amanda Silver wrote both “The Way of Water” and “Fire and Ash,” which were initially intended as a single film but were split due to extensive material.
Cameron’s longtime collaborator Jon Landau, who passed away in July, was remembered by Cameron for his significant contributions and personal impact on the film industry.