2025 draws to a close with what could turn out to be the biggest blockbuster of the year. The third instalment in James Cameron’s ground breaking Pandora saga lands in cinemas this week in the spectacular shape of Avatar: Fire And Ash, marking the return of a number of familiar blue faces – and one very dangerous new one.
The action opens with Jake (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) struggling with grief after the events of The Way Of Water a year ago and facing a formidable new threat. The Ash People, an aggressive tribe who view outsiders with the utmost suspicion, are led by their fierce warrior princess, Varang (Ooona Chaplin). She joins forces with the resurrected Quaritch (Stephen Lang) to exploit Pandora’s core energy, but it results in a devastating conflict and forces Jake and his family to unite all the Na’vi clans against human invaders of the RDA and widening internal strife.
In the exclusive interviews below, we sat down with stars Sigourney Weaver (Kiri), Oona Chaplin (Varang) and Stephen Lang (Quaritch), together with composer Simon Franglen and costume designer Deborah L Scott, to delve into the reasons for the franchise’s success – and a whole lot more.
From the cast, Weaver reflects on how performance capture meant she could play a teenager and the freedom that gave her as an actor, while Oona Chaplin (granddaughter of legendary silent star Charlie Chaplin) gives an insight into Varang and her role as half of the film’s deadly power couple. And Stephen Lang – or Slang, as he likes to be called – reveals why he prefers playing villains and what kind of grandfather Quaritch would make.
Franglen, who composed the score for the 3 hour 15 minute epic, describes how it took over his life and how he created unique 3D musical instruments for one of the tribes, and Scott talks about her inspirations for her designs and the reasons why she created real versions of the costumes, as well as the ones used in post production.
Avatar: Fire And Ash is in cinemas from 19th December.
Plot:
Oscar®-winning filmmaker James Cameron returns audiences to the majestic world of Pandora in Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third instalment in the globally acclaimed franchise. The new chapter follows Marine-turned-Na’vi leader Jake Sully, warrior Neytiri, and the Sully family as they face new threats and adventures while protecting their home. With groundbreaking visuals, emotional storytelling, and immersive new environments, this next journey pushes the limits of Pandora like never before.
