By George & Josh Bate
From Lilo & Stitch to Superman to How to Train Your Dragon, 2025 has had blockbuster after blockbuster, but few, if any, movies possess the gargantuan spectacle and anticipation of Avatar: Fire and Ash. The third installment in James Cameron’s acclaimed franchise arrives in theaters on December 19, 2025 and, ahead of the release, we had the opportunity to catch an early look at the trailer for the new film in 3D on the big screen. Keep reading for our reaction and a detailed description of the trailer, which will be shown in front of screenings of The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
What happens in the trailer for Avatar: Fire and Ash?
The trailer begins with a beautiful aerial shot showcasing the advances in VFX in just a few years. Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) is seen sporadically throughout the trailer, but the focus is primarily on his children: Neteyam, Lo’ak, and Tuktirey.
A touching moment shows Jake embrace Spider, while later on Jake is seen telling who appears to be his wife Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), “You cannot live like this, baby. In hate.” The intricate visual effects to bring about minute facial expressions on Jake are breathtaking to say the least.
The highlight of the footage comes from its exploration of new corners of the planet Pandora, in particular the ashen wasteland of the Ash People. The villain Varang (who can be seen on the poster below) features prominently in the trailer. Of note, Varang is played by Oona Chaplin, who played Talisa Maegyr in Game of Thrones and the granddaughter of Charlie Chaplin. The trailer concludes with Varang holding one of Jake and Neytiri’s children hostage as she says, “Your God has no dominion here.”
Earlier in the trailer, Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang) can be seen in Ash People territory wearing their distinctive makeup, suggesting he allies with the people.
Another notable part of the trailer sees humans arrest Jake and escort him into custody as he walks past a number of masked humans.
Another part of the trailer shows Neytiri in a hospital bed begging foor her children.
The Water Tribe also feature in the trailer and are seen teaming up with Jake’s family against the Ash People.
The trailer of Avatar: Fire and Ash will debut this weekend with The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
What did we think of the trailer for Avatar: Fire and Ash?
Overall, we were impressed with the trailer for the film. It seems like James Cameron has crafted another gargantuan visual spectacle, although one with a darker edge than the previous films.
The new Ash People clan bring an entirely new visual flavor to the franchise. Never seen fire VFX this crisp and distinctive before. The leader of the clan Varang seems like she’ll be the most formidable villain of the series, even more than Quaritch.
The focus of the story appears to be much more on Sully’s children, than Sully himself, which seems interesting.
If it was in any doubt prior, this trailer affirms that this will likely be the biggest movie event of the year, one that demands viewing in a big theater. As the VFX continues to improve upon itself movie after movie. December 19 can’t come soon enough.