‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Trailer
Conversations of civil conflict and the power of resilience
Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third installment of globally successful James Cameron franchise, released its second trailer Thursday, September 25, and the people cannot wait to purchase their tickets for the December 2025 release. Starring Zoe Saldaña and Sam Worthington, Fire and Ash takes us deeper into the Na’vi tribes as we move beyond the human-Na’vi conflict and explore inter-nation civil destruction.
Varang (portrayed by Oona Chaplin, pictured in the above poster) is the main antagonist in the third installment. She is the aggressive leader of the Mangkwan clan, otherwise know as the Ash people, who seeks dominance and sheer power over all who reside in the land. She partners with a familiar villain, Colonel Miles Quaritch, portrayed by the incomparable Stephen Lang, to continue his revenge against Jake Sully (Worthington) and his family.
The Price of Peace is Paid in Blood
Set years after The Way of the Water, a structurally volatile volcanic region births the Ash people—a group of displaced Na’vi tribe who suffered immeasurable loss and insurmountable grief due to a deadly volcanic eruption. The Ash people’s values are placed directly on the elemental powers and freedom that fire represents (a phoenix born from the ashes) and self-reliance. This cultural stance is in direct contrast to the Awa spiritual beliefs, as they have internalized the natural disaster to mean the spirits abandoned them and their people. As a result of their resilience-through-devastation, they comb the land bringing destruction, chaos, and eradication.
Fire and Ash goes beyond the familiar themes of grief and loss reflected in the first two films by diving into the cycles of anger and hate that ignite civil disruption and war. James Cameron also takes a look at the fallout of environmental devastation and what that does to the psychosis of a person who cannot see the light beyond destruction, with feelings of abandonment by the god or gods they believe will protect them. Lastly, as The Avatar franchise has always done, it explores the complexities of unity in the face of darkness—crossing cultural boundaries and checking personal biases in order to use each others’ differences to make positive, impactful, and lasting change.
Bring Your Blankets and a Pillow
Avatar: Fire and Ash is confirmed by James Cameron to run for 3 hours and 12 minutes (192 minutes), the same run time as The Way of the Water. What does this mean for movie-goers? There will not be an intermission for the film, as James did not write it into the script nor has he ever had intermissions in his films. Specific theaters may choose to do so but plan (and nap) accordingly.
Tickets are currently not on sale. Be sure to check Fandango, AMC Theaters, Regal, or your local theaters for sales release as it gets closer to global theatrical release.
Avatar: Fire and Ash, in theaters December 19, 2025. Check out the trailer below.