Director James Cameron has revealed a significant change in the upcoming film Avatar: Fire and Ash, which involved including a scene he initially intended to save for a later entry in the franchise. This modification comes as part of the third film in the five-part series, continuing the narrative following 2022’s Avatar: The Way of Water. The decision reflects Cameron’s evolving vision for the story and the character of Jake Sully.
Revisiting and Expanding Jake Sully’s Role
Cameron discussed the creative process behind this change in an interview with Variety. Initially, the idea of Jake Sully retrieving the Toruk, the large bird he famously rides in the original Avatar, was reserved for a future installment. However, Cameron felt the absence of this element created a gap in the storytelling, as The Way of Water left questions about why Jake would not use the Toruk to confront his enemies.
The good news is I don’t really second guess my creative impulses. Unless, and this happened a little bit on Fire and Ash, I’m looking at it going, you know, I’m not that much of a genius screenwriter,
James Cameron, Director
Recognizing the potential impact of the Toruk on Jake’s arc, Cameron decided to rewrite and add several scenes to incorporate this storyline earlier than planned. He said:
I got a big scoop here. It didn’t exist in Fire and Ash. And I went, ‘Oh, he’s got to go get the bird.’ Come on! I was saving it for a later film,
James Cameron, Director
I was like, ‘Fuck that! He should get the bird. Get the Toruk.’ There’s something in Jake’s destiny that requires it, right? So I just re-wrote it, and we went back and we shot two or three scenes around that concept, and I threw some stuff out and stuck that in. And we’re at three hours, big surprise! But it works beautifully, and the actors were super-excited about that idea. It’s like, oh, okay, that feels right, you know?
James Cameron, Director
Continuing Ambitions Beyond the Avatar Franchise
While Cameron remains deeply involved in the Avatar saga, he is also working on a challenging new film adaptation of Charles R. Pellegrino’s book Ghosts of Hiroshima. Cameron expressed the difficulty of this project, emphasizing the fine balance between portraying horror and finding deeper meaning within the story’s tragedy.
To me, this might be the most challenging film I ever make,
James Cameron, Director
I don’t 100% have my strategy fully in place for how I want to see it; how I want to shield people from the horror but still be honest; how I can find some kind of poetry, beauty, or spiritual epiphany in it somehow – which I know must be there. It’s there in every human story.
James Cameron, Director
Upcoming Release and Expectations
Avatar: Fire and Ash is scheduled for release on December 19, marking a major step in the franchise’s ongoing narrative. Cameron’s decision to alter the film’s story by advancing the inclusion of the Toruk adds fresh anticipation around Jake Sully’s journey and the overarching conflict on Pandora. With the movie extending to three hours, audiences can expect an immersive experience that builds on established lore while introducing unexpected elements.
The film’s release contributes to the growing excitement for the future installments, particularly as Cameron continues to shape the series with his hands-on creative direction. Fans are left to wonder how these new choices will impact the story’s trajectory through the planned five films, with the final chapter not expected until 2031.
