The third chapter in James Cameron’s cinematic saga, Avatar: Fire and Ash, is set to arrive in theaters on December 19, 2025. The film continues the epic story of the Sully family, introducing a dangerous new Na’vi tribe and a fiery moral conflict. In a recent development, superstar Miley Cyrus announced she has recorded an original song for the movie, deepening the connection between the artist and the film’s themes.
The Official Release Timeline
After a long journey of production, Avatar: Fire and Ash has a firm release date. Audiences can return to the world of Pandora on December 19, 2025. The film has experienced several delays over the years, influenced by factors including the ambitious scope of production and industry-wide events. Much of the filming was completed simultaneously with the previous movie, Avatar: The Way of Water, wrapping in late 2020. Director James Cameron has confirmed that this third installment will have a runtime even longer than its predecessor, which was over three hours.
A Story of Fire and Grief
The plot of Avatar: Fire and Ash picks up one year after the events of The Way of Water. The Sully family is still grappling with the grief following the death of their eldest son, Neteyam. Their fragile peace is shattered when they encounter a new and aggressive Na’vi tribe known as the Ash People. This clan, described as hardened and more militant, is led by the fierce Varang, played by Oona Chaplin. James Cameron said of the character, “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.”
The conflict on Pandora escalates dramatically as Varang forms an alliance with Jake’s old enemy, Colonel Miles Quaritch. This partnership will push the Sullys to their limits. Actress Zoe Saldaña, who plays Neytiri, shared that the film is “heart-wrenching,” adding that portraying her character’s effort to move forward after loss was the hardest thing. She stated:
“Shooting Neytiri and Jake forcing themselves to get up and move on, and be there for their surviving children, was the hardest thing. It teaches you a lot about what it must be like as a parent, as a guardian.”
The Cast of Characters
The film brings back a massive ensemble cast while introducing key new characters.
Returning heroes and villains include:
- Sam Worthington as Jake Sully
- Zoe Saldaña as Neytiri
- Sigourney Weaver as Kiri
- Stephen Lang as Colonel Miles Quaritch
- Britain Dalton as Lo’ak
- Trinity Jo-Li Bliss as Tuk
- Jack Champion as Miles “Spider” Socorro
- Kate Winslet as Ronal
- Cliff Curtis as Tonowari
New and pivotal characters include:
- Oona Chaplin as Varang, the leader of the Ash People.
- David Thewlis as Peylak, the Na’vi leader of the Wind Traders.
- The beloved Tulkun, Payakan, will also make his return.
Miley Cyrus Contributes an Original Song
Adding to the excitement, musician Miley Cyrus announced she has recorded an original song for Avatar: Fire and Ash. She wrote the track with hitmakers Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt. In a personal Instagram post, Cyrus revealed a deep connection to the film’s subject matter, referencing the loss of her Malibu home in the 2018 Woolsey fire.
“Having been personally affected by fire and being rebuilt from the ashes, this project holds profound meaning for me,” Cyrus wrote. “Thank you, Jim, for the opportunity to turn that experience into musical medicine. The film’s themes of unity, healing and love resonate deeply within my soul.”
This is not the first time a major artist has contributed an original song to the franchise; The Weeknd previously wrote and performed “Nothing Is Lost (You Give Me Strength)” for Avatar: The Way of Water.
New Worlds and New Battles
Avatar: Fire and Ash will explore a previously unseen region of Pandora. The volcanic home of the Ash People presents a stark contrast to the lush rainforests of the first film and the tropical oceans of the second. The film promises a battle of a scale that has not been seen before in the series. With the Sully family caught between their old enemies in the RDA and this new, fiery tribe of Na’vi, the upcoming film is positioned as a major turning point in the five-movie saga.
