Following the title reveal of the third outing in the hugely successful Avatar franchise, director James Cameron has revealed some insight into what that subtitle, Fire and Ash, means for the movie. Discussing Avatar 3 with Rotten Tomatoes, Cameron has teased what the introduction of the new tribe, known as the “Ash People,” will mean for the world of Pandora and the continuing adventures of Jake Sully, Neytiri, and their family.

The new title, and now Cameron’s insight, confirms that Avatar 3 will center on the Sully family and the conflict between the water tribe, the Metkayina, and the fire tribe. The leader of the latter will be played by Game of Thrones and Taboo star Oona Chaplin, who it has now been revealed will be named Varang, with concept art revealed at D23 offering our first look at the violent ruler of the volcano-dwelling "Ash People."

As well as explaining his thinking behind the title Fire and Ash, James Cameron has also teased how the next Avatar sequel will be “unexpected.” According to the acclaimed filmmaker, while Avatar 3 will, of course, include the detail and “rich world” of its predecessors, it will also delve much deeper into the characters and the challenges that befall them.

“As I told, you know, the audience today, 14,000 of my closest friends. This film goes much deeper on our characters and deep emotional consequences for them that threatens their relationships with each other, test their bonds. And that's why I say I think the movie is simultaneously unexpected. Based on what you think you've seen six hours into the Avatar saga so far between the first film and the second film, and it will also be what you crave.

I think what you crave as an audience is not just more beautiful imagery. We have that, of course we have that, we have an amazing detailed, rich world and the imaginations of a lot of great artists that go into it. by this point, I believe we care about the journey of these people.”

Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Giovanni Ribisi, Dileep Rao, Britain Dalton, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Jack Champion, Michelle Yeoh, David Thewlis, and Oona Chaplin, Avatar: Fire and Ash is due to land in theaters on December 19, 2025. The next sequel, Avatar 4, is now not due to be released until December 21st, 2029, with the final installment, Avatar 5, due for release on December 19th, 2031.