James Cameron Calls ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Full of “Really Clever Action Set-Pieces”

‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’, the eagerly awaited third instalment in the ‘Avatar’ series, will mark 20th Century Studios’ return to Pandora. Although there are still few clues and the film won’t be in theatres for another 11 months, director James Cameron offered some thoughts in an interview with Empire magazine. He talked about the ‘Fire and Ash’ filming process and emphasized how it would be different from the earlier movies.

The action in the film is exciting, according to Cameron, who said that it has some “really clever action set-pieces” that will raise your heart rate. The chance to explore deeper character development and intrigue that hasn’t been shown in the previous ‘Avatar’ films, he added, is what thrills him the most, especially since he recently turned 70. He made hints that the movie would take viewers in unexpected directions, but in a way that seems justified. 

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Cameron also discussed the physical side of the shooting process, saying that, in comparison to ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’, the production has advanced significantly. Even though both films are about the same length, he revealed that they had completed twice as many shots as they did in the second movie. He claimed that this puts them ahead of schedule, which is a first for him.

‘Fire & Ash’ will concentrate on a new fire-centered Na’vi tribe headed by Varang (Oona Chaplin), after the introduction of a maritime Na’vi tribe in ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’. Varang, the Ash Clan commander, will meet Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), who has accepted life as a Na’vi with his partner Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) and their adopted daughter Kiri (Sigourney Weaver) following the events of the last movie. These characters will return, and there will also be appearances by Kate Winslet, Edie Falco, Giovanni Ribisi, CCH Pounder, David Thewlis, and Stephen Lang’s Quaritch.

Image Courtesy: IMDb

Cameron is directing ‘Fire and Ash’, which is based on a script he co-wrote with Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver. Cameron is also working on at least two other ‘Avatar’ sequels, which are scheduled for release in 2029 and 2031. Cameron, Jaffa, Silver, Shane Salerno, and Josh Friedman devised the story. Alongside the late Jon Landau, Cameron is producing the movie under his Lightstorm Entertainment banner.

While ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ is now available for streaming on Disney+, ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ is scheduled to open in cinemas on 19th December 2025.

–Farheen Ali