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| Courtesy of 20th Century Studios |
Including the “Avatar” cast Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña, James Cameron revealed the official title of the third Avatar film at the D23 expo: “Avatar: Fire and Ash.”
While James Cameron didn’t show any footage, he did show some concept art from the film, including Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) riding a banshee, which appeared to be a giant airship, the first look at Na’vi terrifying Ash People, complete with ghostly images of ink and otherworldly masks covered as they dance around an giant fire pit.
“You’re going to see a lot more of Pandora than you’ve ever seen before,” James Cameron said. “It’s a wild ride and a feast for the eyes, but it’s also got a much stronger emotional punch than ever before,” James Cameron said during the presentation. “We’re getting into really tough territory for all the characters you know and love.”
James Cameron filmed “Fire and Ash” alongside 2022’s “Avatar: The Way of Water,” which depicts the war between humanity and the Na’vi after the massive Resource Development Administration (RDA) returns to the alien moon of Pandora. At the end of Avatar: The Way of Water, the family of Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) successfully repels an RDA attack on the aquatic Metkayina clan and the whale-like Tulkuns with whom they ally. But their eldest son is killed in battle, and the RDA remains deeply entrenched on Pandora.
Avatar: Fire and Ash picks up immediately after this event, when Jake Sully and Neytiri encounter the Ash people, who believes are more drawn to violence and power than other groups. James Cameron said, “There’s new characters, specially I think you’re gonna love or hate,” Varang (Oona Chaplin) plays the leader of the Ash people.
Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña returning to the cast includes Kate Winslet, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Cliff Curtis, Bailey Bass, Jack Champion, Britain Dalton, Trinity Bliss, Joel David Moore, Dileep Rao and Edie Falco.
James Cameron produced all of the Avatar films with his creative partner Jon Landau, who died in cancer at the age of 63. James Cameron said, “His legacy is not only just the films he made, but also the personal example he set, relentless, tireless, insightful, thoughtful and utterly unique. Jon inspired us all and brought out the best in us every day. I lost a dear friend and a part of me was ripped away.”