The world of Pandora is once again on the brink of chaos as Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third installment in James Cameron’s sci-fi epic, gears up for its highly anticipated December release. With the first trailer set to debut in theaters alongside The Fantastic Four: First Steps this weekend, fans finally got a glimpse of the film’s new central antagonist: Varang, the battle-hardened leader of the Ash People.
Meet Varang: A Villain Forged in Fire
Disney unveiled the first official image of Varang, portrayed by Game of Thrones star Oona Chaplin, this week. The character leads the Mangkwan Clan, also known as the Ash People—a tribe of Na’vi who have turned their backs on the planet’s spiritual deity, Eywa, after their land was ravaged by volcanic destruction.
In an interview with Empire magazine earlier this year, director James Cameron described Varang as a morally complex figure shaped by tragedy. “She’s hardened by the incredible hardship her people have endured,” Cameron said. “She will do anything for them, even things that we would consider to be evil.”
This narrative marks a departure from the clear-cut morality seen in previous Avatar films. “We’re trying to evolve beyond the ‘all humans are bad, all Na’vi are good’ paradigm,” Cameron added, emphasizing the franchise’s deeper dive into emotional and ideological gray areas.
Oona Chaplin Brings Emotional Depth to Pandora
Best known for her role as Talisa Maegyr in Game of Thrones, Oona Chaplin brings a grounded intensity to the role of Varang. According to Cameron, the depth of her performance became fully apparent once Wētā FX—the visual effects powerhouse behind the Avatar films—rendered her performance in full.
“She’s an enemy, an adversarial character,” Cameron said, “but Chaplin makes her feel so real and alive.”
The Ash People, led by Varang, aren’t your typical villains. As survivors of environmental catastrophe, they represent a darker mirror of Pandora’s past and a grim reminder of what happens when survival overrides spiritual harmony.
Trailer Premieres With Fantastic Four: First Steps
The highly anticipated trailer for Avatar: Fire and Ash is set to premiere in theaters ahead of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which launches Marvel’s Phase Six on July 25. It’s a strategic cross-promotional move from Disney, uniting two of its biggest sci-fi properties under one cinematic roof.
Fans attending the premiere of Fantastic Four can expect a first look at the third chapter in the Sully family saga. According to Cameron, Fire and Ash will see Jake, Neytiri, and their children tested like never before—facing not only renewed human threats but also conflict with other Na’vi clans, including the Ash People.
“The Sully family are really put through the ringer on this one,” Cameron teased during April’s CinemaCon. “They face not only the human invaders, but new adversaries: the Ash People.”
A Darker, Richer Pandora Awaits
Concept art revealed alongside the Varang image suggests Avatar: Fire and Ash will be the most visually ambitious entry yet. Volcano-scorched wastelands, ash-covered landscapes, and darker color palettes signal a tonal shift for the franchise—one that reflects the emotional weight of the story.
Illustrators like Dylan Cole, Steve Messing, and Zachary Berger have helped bring this new vision of Pandora to life. Their work hints at the immense scale and devastation behind the Ash People’s origin—and sets the stage for an epic clash of ideologies and survival.
As Avatar: Fire and Ash moves toward its December release, the introduction of Varang as a nuanced, sympathetic antagonist is already reshaping expectations. With new threats rising from within Pandora itself, the battle for the planet’s soul is no longer a simple fight between natives and colonizers. It’s a deeper, more personal conflict—and one that’s sure to leave a lasting mark on audiences.
