James Cameron’s Avatar 3: Fire and Ash is set to introduce audiences to a drastically different part of Pandora, and a first look at the Ash Clan, known as the Mangkwan, offers a glimpse into the next chapter. This new environment is marked by devastation, shaped by a natural disaster that has hardened its inhabitants.
Oona Chaplin’s character, Varang, leads the Mangkwan, a group of Na’vi who have endured unimaginable hardship. Concept art shared by Empire showcases a hauntingly desolate village, a stark contrast to the vibrant rainforests and oceans of Pandora. Production designer Dylan Cole emphasised that the Ash Clan’s culture has been molded by the disaster that befell them, “That sort of helped shaped their culture. So much of the world of Pandora is rich and vibrant and full of life — this is just the exact opposite. They used to live not too dissimilarly to the Omatikaya from Avatar 1.”
With the introduction of the Mangkwan Clan, Avatar: Fire and Ash moves beyond the familiar conflict of noble Na’vi versus exploitative humans. “Varang is the leader of a people who have gone through an incredible hardship. She’s hardened by that. She will do anything for them, even things that we would consider to be evil,” said Chaplin. “One thing we wanted to do in this film is not be black-and-white simplistic. We’re trying to evolve beyond the ‘all humans are bad, all Na’vi are good’ paradigm.”
Cameron himself previously stated that he wanted to show Na’vi from a different angle, breaking away from the dichotomy that has defined the franchise, “ The fire will be represented by the ‘Ash People.’ I want to show the Na’vi from another angle because, so far, I have only shown their good sides.”
Returning cast members include Sam Worthington as Jake Sully, Zoe Saldaña as Neytiri, Sigourney Weaver as Kiri, Stephen Lang as Colonel Miles Quaritch, Kate Winslet as Ronal, among others. David Thewlis also joins the cast as Peylak, a Na’vi character who will play a role in Avatar 4 and Avatar 5, both of which have already been greenlit by Disney.
Avatar: Fire and Ash opens in cinemas on 19 December.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Sylus from Love and Deepspace.
Kevin Low
