Avatar: Fire and Ash is set to be a major cinematic event this year, scheduled for release on December 17 in France. Directed by James Cameron, the blockbuster is expected to generate significant buzz. Recently, Empire had the opportunity to speak with several cast members, focusing on how Jake’s family will cope with the death of Neteyam.
Avatar 3: High Expectations
In 2022, James Cameron transported fans back to the world of Pandora with a sequel that has been long-awaited, arriving more than ten years after the original film. For this release, stars such as Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, and Stephen Lang reprised their roles in Avatar: The Way of Water. Unsurprisingly, the second installment became a global hit, grossing over $2.3 billion at the box office. The film even won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects among its four nominations.
Avatar: The Way of Water shocked audiences with its bold storytelling. Notably, James Cameron did not shy away from killing off Neteyam, one of the children of Jake and Ney’tiri. This second installment introduced the couple’s children: Tuktirey, Lo’ak, Kiri, and Neteyam. The dramatic conclusion of The Way of Water sealed Neteyam’s fate after an intense final sequence.
The Impact of Neteyam’s Death
The death of Neteyam will certainly have profound repercussions in Avatar: Fire and Ash. The film will explore how Jake’s family copes with such a significant trauma amidst a particularly violent conflict. Recently, Empire interviewed cast members Britain Dalton, Trinity Bliss, Jack Champion, and Bailey Bass, who portray Lo’ak, Tuktirey, Spider, and Tsireya respectively. They shared their thoughts on Neteyam’s death at the end of Avatar 2:
Lo’ak was born to be a leader. But he’s never had the confidence needed. When Neteyam dies… all eyes turn to him. He blames himself.
Trinity Bliss also discussed the continuation of her character’s story, Tuktirey:
I don’t think she will be the same. It’s the first time she confronts the death of a loved one. But she will remain strong, and perhaps she will rise within the Sully family.
The situation will be even more complicated for Spider, the biological son of Quaritch, the main antagonist of the RDA. He finds himself torn between his adoptive Na’vi family and his origins. Jack Champion hinted at his character’s storyline:
He feels very conflicted. His “father” is reborn in this Na’vi form, but he remains just as evil, if not more so. Yet he believes he can still save him. His guilt grows as Spider tries to understand who he is and which side he belongs to.
Meanwhile, Bailey Bass reflected on the bond between Tsireya and the rest of the family:
Tsireya is torn between what she believes is right and what she has been taught her whole life.
Indeed, Neteyam’s death will have serious consequences for the equilibrium of the Sully family. It remains to be seen how Jake and Ney’tiri will respond to this tragedy, how they will manage their grief, and their thirst for vengeance. Audiences can look forward to uncovering more of this iconic franchise from James Cameron this winter.
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