A new trailer for Avatar: Fire and Ash has arrived, revealing major new story details that will change the world of Pandora. The footage, released in September 2025, introduces a dangerous new tribe and shows shocking transformations for key characters. The film, directed by James Cameron, is scheduled to arrive in theaters on December 19, 2025.
The Ash People’s Tragic Origin
The trailer introduces the Ash People, a new Na’vi tribe led by Varang, played by Oona Chaplin. Their entire culture was shaped by a devastating past. A massive fire from the mountains long ago burned their forest to the ground. They called out to their god, Eywa, for help, but no salvation came. This abandonment led them to reject Eywa entirely. They now live in a blackened landscape, and their faith has been replaced by rage and bitterness. Varang leads her people with a fierce determination, setting them on a path of conflict with other Na’vi clans.
Spider’s Breathtaking Transformation
One of the most shocking moments in the trailer shows the human character, Spider, undergoing a profound change. He is seen lying motionless as blue tendrils, similar to Eywa’s energy, wrap around his body. In a stunning development, he is later shown breathing Pandora’s air without his exopack mask. The transformation goes even further, as Spider is shown with a neural queue, the Na’vi appendage that allows bonding with creatures. The trailer shows him using it to connect with an Ilu, something previously impossible for a human. This suggests he is being physically rewritten to be more Na’vi.
A Crisis of Faith and a New Alliance
The conflict in the film is deeply philosophical. The Ash People’s grudge against Eywa creates a crisis of faith on Pandora. The trailer shows Varang questioning the deity, asking what happens when a god abandons its people. This ideological divide seems to push the Ash People into an alliance with the humans. In a surprising scene, Varang and the resurrected Colonel Quaritch are shown performing tsaheylu—the neural bond—together. This intimate act suggests a powerful and dangerous partnership is forming between the Na’vi outcasts and the RDA forces.
Neytiri’s Mysterious New Loyalties
A puzzling shot in the trailer shows Neytiri with her face painted in the black and red colors of the Ash People. This distinctive pattern is worn by Varang and her entire tribe, raising questions about Neytiri’s loyalties. It is unclear if she is infiltrating the tribe as a spy, has temporarily switched sides, or is following a different path altogether. The trailer confirms she will ultimately fight alongside Jake by the film’s end, but her journey there appears to be filled with unexpected turns.
An Upgraded Threat and a Council of War
The new footage suggests the human threat is evolving beyond simple resource extraction. A key moment shows Jake Sully voicing a terrifying realization: “What if every human being on Earth could live here without a mask?” He then follows with a grim conclusion: “Then the Na’vi people will be gone.” This indicates the RDA may be working on a way to make Pandora’s atmosphere breathable for all humans, which would mean the end of the Na’vi way of life. In response, the trailer shows a council of war forming beneath the waves, with Jake and Neytiri meeting the Metkayina leaders amid a group of nine Tulkun whales, suggesting an alliance of all Pandoran species.
Kiri’s Growing Connection to Eywa
Sigourney Weaver’s character, Kiri, appears with her unique abilities continuing to grow. Her connection to Eywa, which was a mystery in The Way of Water, appears to be strengthening. The trailer shows her in a unique purple location, calling upon “The Warrior Mother.” Another shot reveals her bioluminescent markings glowing brightly underwater as she strains to channel a powerful force. Kiri seems poised to play an essential role in the coming conflict, potentially as a key figure in the battle for Pandora’s soul.
How to Watch the New Footage
Fans got an early look at these scenes in a unique way. Three different clips from Avatar: Fire and Ash were attached to the theatrical re-release of Avatar: The Way of Water on October 3, 2025. However, each theater screening played only one of the three scenes at random, meaning audiences had to be lucky to see a specific clip.
James Cameron returns to direct, with a screenplay written by Cameron, Rick Jaffa, and Amanda Silver. The film continues the story one year after the events of The Way of Water, as Jake and Neytiri’s family continues to grieve the death of their eldest son, Neteyam.
Also Read: Jake Sully and His Family Tree Explained in the Upcoming Avatar: Fire and Ash Movie
