The lush world of Pandora is about to get a whole lot hotter, as new concept art from Avatar: Fire and Ash reveals a fiery Na’vi clan and their menacing leader. With the promise of an emotionally charged storyline, new character dynamics, and breathtaking visuals, the sequel is set to expand the universe of Pandora in exciting ways. Recently, James Cameron offered a glimpse into the movie’s storyline and shared stunning concept art in Empire Magazine that teases the high stakes and rich world-building that await audiences.
Set to introduce the Ash Clan, a new group within the Na’vi culture, Avatar: Fire and Ash builds upon the previously established Omatikaya and Metkayina clans, offering a fresh perspective on the planet’s socio-political landscape. Among the Ash Clan is their formidable leader, Varang, portrayed by Game of Thrones actor Oona Chaplin. According to Cameron, Varang represents a morally complex character who will do whatever it takes to protect her people, even if it means resorting to questionable actions. This nuanced portrayal of the Na’vi challenges the simplistic dichotomy of “good Na’vi versus bad humans” that characterised earlier films. His full quote is as follows:

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. 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. [Oona Chaplin] is so good that I didn’t quite appreciate how good her performance is until we got the Wētā animation back. She’s an enemy, an adversarial character but [Chaplin] makes her feel so real and alive.They’re [The Wind Traders] nomadic traders, equivalent to the camel caravans of the Spice Road back in the Middle Ages. And you know, they’re just fun. Like all Na’vi, they live in a symbiosis with their creatures. If you’ve got any nautical blood in your veins, you’ll want to be on [their] ship.
In the artwork, Varang is depicted leading her clan into battle, her commanding presence underscoring the Ash Clan’s resilience and ferocity. Cameron lauded Chaplin’s performance, admitting that he didn’t fully grasp its depth until the animation process was complete. “Her embodiment of [Varang] is so good that I didn’t quite appreciate how good her performance is until we got the Wētā animation back,” he said. “She’s an enemy, an adversarial character, but [Chaplin] makes her feel so real and alive.”
Another concept image also reveals the Wind Traders, a nomadic Na’vi group inspired by historical trade caravans. While specific details about the colossal Pandoran creatures they work with remain undisclosed, their presence is expected to showcase Pandora’s diverse ecosystem in even greater detail.

Returning cast members include Zoe Saldaña as Neytiri, Sam Worthington as Jake Sully, Sigourney Weaver as Kiri, and Stephen Lang as Colonel Quaritch, alongside Britain Dalton as Lo’ak. The story will delve deeper into the alliances and conflicts among Pandora’s clans, with the ocean-dwelling Metkayina likely playing a significant role. The concept art suggests that alliances may shift as the characters confront new challenges, including the looming threat posed by Varang and her clan.
While Fire and Ash marks the final chapter set on Pandora, the story will continue with Avatar 4 and Avatar 5, which will shift the narrative to Earth. Cameron remains committed to directing these instalments and has even teased the possibility of more sequels in the future.
Avatar: Fire and Ash opens in cinemas on 19 December.