Avatar: Fire and Ash – Release date, Concept art, cast, & Everything we know so far 

Avatar 3 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated films of the decade. Directed by the visionary James Cameron, this third installment promises to take audiences deeper into the world of Pandora, continuing the epic saga of the Na'vi. The franchise, which began with the groundbreaking Avatar in 2009, captivated millions again with Avatar: The Way of Water in 2022, a film that became one of the highest-grossing movies of all time, earning nearly $2.9 billion at the global box office.

As Avatar: The Way of Water concluded, viewers were left with intense emotions and unresolved conflicts. Jake Sully and Neytiri’s family faced devastating losses, yet their battle against Colonel Quaritch and the human invaders was far from over. The film set the stage for an even more explosive continuation in Avatar 3.

The excitement for the upcoming film reached new heights when, at the D23 Expo, James Cameron officially revealed the title Avatar: Fire and Ash in the presence of stars Zoe Saldaña and Sam Worthington. This announcement, combined with the introduction of a new Na'vi fire tribe and the promise of even more advanced digital effects, suggests that Avatar 3 could be the most thrilling and visually spectacular entry in the franchise yet.

In this article, we’ll dive into everything we know about Avatar 3—from premiere details and cast updates to the FAQs and plot revelations. Keep reading to stay in the loop, and be sure to check back often, as we'll keep updating this article with all the latest news and insights!

Release Date & Where to Watch

Avatar: Fire and Ash will be released on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, under the Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures banner. 

Avatar 4 & 5 is slated for release in Dec. 2029 and 2031, respectively. Meanwhile, Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water are currently streaming on Disney+.

The film spans the action, adventure, fantasy, sci-fi, and thriller genres.

Just announced at #D23, our title for the next Avatar film:

Avatar: Fire and Ash. Get ready to journey back to Pandora, in theaters December 19, 2025. pic.twitter.com/gZkCCsTl9x

— Avatar (@officialavatar) August 10, 2024

Plot

In Avatar: Fire and Ash, the story picks up shortly after the events of Avatar: The Way of Water. Jake Sully and Neytiri, now part of the Metkayina clan, face a new challenge in the form of the Ash People, a Na'vi clan with a violent and power-driven nature. As hinted by James Cameron, this new clan introduces a significant twist to the story, complicating the ongoing conflict between the Na'vi and the RDA (Resources Development Administration).

The RDA remains deeply entrenched on Pandora, and tensions escalate, suggesting an all-out war between the Na'vi and the human invaders. Jake's eldest son was lost in the battle at the end of The Way of Water, leaving the Sully family determined to protect their new home and loved ones. However, Jake steps back from the narrator's role in this installment, with his son Lo'ak taking over.

The third film will also delve into some of the mysteries left open in the previous installment, particularly concerning Kiri's origins and her unique connection to Pandora's ecosystem. There are hints that Kiri's powers might influence Spider's ability to breathe Pandora's air, suggesting her abilities will play a crucial role in the unfolding story.

As the world of Pandora expands, audiences will be introduced to at least two new Na'vi clans, exploring different biomes and cultures. The narrative will continue to center around the Sully family, focusing on the dynamics of protecting their family amidst ongoing conflicts.

Cameron and his team have crafted an epic saga across all four sequels, with each installment building upon the previous one while setting up for future developments. The storyline in Avatar: Fire and Ash promises unexpected twists and a deeper exploration of Pandora’s diverse cultures, setting the stage for even greater conflicts and resolutions in the sequels to come.

At the D23 fan event in Brazil, new concept art for the film was unveiled. You can check it out below:

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Cast

• Sam Worthington as Jake Sully: A former human who joined the Avatar Program, fell in love with Neytiri, and aligned with the Na'vi, permanently transferring his consciousness into his avatar. After Avatar: The Way of Water, Jake and his family leave the Omatikaya clan to join the Metkayina.
• Zoe Saldaña as Neytiri: Jake's wife and a Na'vi warrior who also left the Omatikaya clan to live among the Metkayina.
• Sigourney Weaver as Kiri: The adopted daughter of Jake and Neytiri, born from the Na'vi avatar of Dr. Grace Augustine.
• Stephen Lang as Colonel Miles Quaritch: A former human military leader of the RDA who died fighting the Na'vi. His memories were later implanted into a Na'vi recombinant body, reviving him as an antagonist.
• Giovanni Ribisi as Parker Selfridge: The former head of the RDA’s mining operations on Pandora.
• Kate Winslet as Ronal: A free diver of the Metkayina clan and the pregnant wife of Tonowari, the clan's leader.
• Cliff Curtis as Tonowari: The leader of the Metkayina clan, known as the reef people.
• Joel David Moore as Dr. Norm Spellman: A scientist from the Avatar Program who sided with the Na'vi during the conflict with the RDA.
• CCH Pounder as Mo'at: The spiritual leader of the Omatikaya clan and Neytiri’s mother.
• Edie Falco as General Frances Ardmore: The RDA’s commanding officer on Pandora.
• Brendan Cowell as Captain Mick Scoresby: The head of a private marine hunting vessel on Pandora, who previously lost an arm to Payakan.
• Jemaine Clement as Dr. Ian Garvin: A marine biologist studying Pandora’s oceans.
• Britain Dalton as Lo'ak: Jake and Neytiri's second son, who serves as the narrator for the film.
• Trinity Jo-Li Bliss as Tuktirey ("Tuk"): The youngest child of Jake and Neytiri, an eight-year-old girl.
• Jack Champion as Miles "Spider" Socorro: The human son of Quaritch, raised and adopted by Jake and Neytiri after the death of his biological father.
• Bailey Bass as Tsireya ("Reya"): A skilled free diver of the Metkayina clan and the daughter of Tonowari and Ronal. She becomes Lo'ak's love interest.
• Filip Geljo as Ao'nung: A young hunter and free diver from the Metkayina clan and son of Tonowari and Ronal.
• Duane Evans, Jr. as Rotxo: Another young hunter and free diver from the Metkayina clan.
• Dileep Rao as Dr. Max Patel: A scientist who formerly worked in the Avatar Program and later supported Jake’s rebellion.
• Matt Gerald as Corporal Lyle Wainfleet: A mercenary who died fighting the Na'vi. His memories were also transferred into a recombinant.
• David Thewlis as Peylak: A Na'vi character who will appear in Avatar 3 through Avatar 5.
• Oona Chaplin as Varang: The leader of the Ash People, a Na'vi clan dwelling near a volcano.
• Michelle Yeoh as Dr. Karina Mogue: A human scientist involved in the events on Pandora.
• Payakan: A Tulkun who forms a bond with Lo'ak.

Avatar stars Zoe Saldaña and Sam Worthington join Director James Cameron on the #D23 stage. pic.twitter.com/KmkmDC1LpY

— Avatar (@officialavatar) August 10, 2024

Is there a Trailer for Avatar 3?

There’s no trailer yet but we will update this whenever we get one.

Who will be the Villain in Avatar 3?

Avatar 3 introduces the Ash People, a new Na'vi clan that will serve as the villains in the third installment of the franchise, set for release in 2025. This twist adds complexity to the ongoing conflict on Pandora. 

Until now, the Avatar series has focused on the Na'vi's struggle to expel the human invaders from their moon, with the assumption that peace would follow once the RDA is defeated. However, the introduction of the Ash People complicates this narrative, presenting a new threat from within Pandora itself. These native Pandorans, whose views conflict with those of Jake Sully's family, suggest that even if the humans are ousted, the bloodshed may continue.

The Ash People may not just be a one-time threat in Avatar 3; their presence could significantly alter the direction of the entire franchise, indicating that the fight for Pandora's future is far from over.

Will there be Avatar 4 & 5?

Avatar 4 and Avatar 5 are indeed in various stages of production, with expected release dates in 2029 and 2031, respectively. These films are the third and fourth sequels in the Avatar franchise, following Avatar 3. While these sequels have reportedly been green-lit, James Cameron emphasized in a 2017 interview that their production depends on the success of Avatar 2 and Avatar 3 at the box office. 

In 2019, producer Jon Landau clarified that not only are Avatar 4 and Avatar 5 green-lit, but a third of Avatar 4 has already been filmed. Cameron confirmed at the 2022 D23 Expo that production for Avatar 4 had officially begun, though he noted in 2024 that filming for the remainder of the movie will not start until Avatar 3 is released.

While details about these sequels are scarce, Cameron has teased the introduction of a new Na'vi tribe, the Ash People, who will reveal a darker side of the Na'vi. Avatar 3 is expected to address the immediate aftermath of Avatar: The Way of Water, and a significant time jump in Avatar 4 could shift the focus to the next generation of the Sully family as they mature into leaders. The ongoing conflict between the Na'vi and the human invaders will likely continue to be a central theme, with the Sully family at the heart of the struggle to protect Pandora.

We are HYPED for #Avatar: Fire and Ash! 👏 #IMAXatD23 pic.twitter.com/xJpHWKabak

— IMAX (@IMAX) August 10, 2024

Where is Avatar 3 Filmed?

Avatar 3 is primarily filmed in New Zealand, the same location where The Lord of the Rings franchise and the first season of The Rings of Power were shot. Principal photography for Avatar 3 and its predecessor, The Way of Water, began simultaneously on Sept. 25, 2017, in Manhattan Beach, California. Live-action filming for both movies started in New Zealand in early 2019. 

Although filming was temporarily halted in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, visual effects work continued at Weta Digital in Wellington. Producer Jon Landau mentioned that 95% of Avatar 3 has already been filmed, with a small portion of the fourth installment also completed.

Behind the Scenes

Avatar: Fire and Ash is directed, written, co-produced, and co-edited by James Cameron. Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures under the 20th Century Studios banner, it is the third installment in Cameron's Avatar franchise, following Avatar: The Way of Water (2022). Cameron is producing the film alongside Jon Landau, and the screenplay was crafted by Cameron, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Josh Friedman, and Shane Salerno.