Disney has officially unveiled the first trailer for Avatar: Fire and Ash, the highly anticipated third instalment in James Cameron’s epic saga. The teaser had previously leaked online after being shown exclusively in cinemas ahead of Fantastic Four: First Steps. Now publicly released, the footage invites audiences back to Pandora and reveals two new clans — the sky-roaming Wind Traders and the fierce, flame-wielding Ash People.
James Cameron first offered a glimpse of the Ash clan during the 2024 D23 Expo, where he described the soot-covered tribe as terrifying and emotionally complex.
«We’re showing more of Pandora than ever before,» the filmmaker said, promising a visually stunning experience with deeply personal stakes. «It’s a wild journey that tests the limits of every character.»
Cameron has promised that Fire and Ash will surpass everything seen before. But it remains unclear whether Zoe Saldaña will have a single scene where she’s not crying in 4K.
Pandora Burns as Conflict Escalates
The trailer shows Jake Sully and his family uniting with the Metkayina to confront the aggressive Varang and her fiery army. Varang, played by Oona Chaplin, leads the Ash People in an alliance with Quaritch (Stephen Lang), intensifying the conflict first sparked in earlier films. Scenes depict vast woodland set ablaze, suggesting Varang’s ability to manipulate fire. In one ominous moment, she declares to Sully’s allies, «Your goddess has no dominion here.»
Massive Stakes and Emotional Turns
The film follows Jake and Neytiri as they mourn the loss of their son Neteyam, all while navigating an escalating war. As grief collides with the growing threat from Varang’s forces, the story promises a moral reckoning and a shift in the struggle for Pandora’s soul.
Cameron has noted that Fire and Ash will run slightly longer than its predecessor, The Way of Water, which clocked in at over three hours. He explained the decision in a recent interview: «We had too many good ideas crammed into act one last time. This film slows down to deepen character arcs.»
Cast and Release Details
The ensemble cast returns with Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, and more reprising their roles. Newcomers include David Thewlis, Michelle Yeoh and Oona Chaplin as the formidable Varang. The official synopsis reveals that as Sully’s family deals with personal loss, they encounter the combative Ash People, setting the stage for a fresh chapter in Pandora’s ongoing struggle.
Avatar: Fire and Ash lands in cinemas on December 19, 2025, three years after The Way of Water captivated audiences worldwide. The franchise’s earlier films set new box office records, with the 2009 original becoming the highest-grossing film in history at $2.9 bn, and its sequel reaching $2.3 bn.
James Cameron has confirmed that five Avatar films are in the pipeline. Much of the footage for upcoming entries has already been filmed. Avatar 4 is slated for release on December 21, 2029, with Avatar 5 expected on December 19, 2031.
Kursiv also reports that Arnold Schwarzenegger could once again step into the role of Dutch from Predator.
