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TOPIC
The Problems With 'Fire and Ash' And How A (Potential) Director's Cut Could Improve It
By Sal LoCicero | December 24, 2025
NOTE: This article may contain spoilers for 'The Way of Water' and 'Fire and Ash'
James Cameron’s (first-ever) threequel ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ has officially hit theaters, and has grossed a total of $345 million globally over its first weekend run (a lower opening to 2022’s ‘The Way of Water’ 435 million global gross). While, all of the “Anti-Avatar” journalists and reporters may desperately try to convince you that the third installment in the (TBD - at the moment) franchise is a “failure”, that statement is simply inaccurate. As we’ve all seen time and time again, the Avatar films are not monumental box office openers. The first movie grossed $77 million domestically and $232 million globally on its opening weekend run, and then eventually dethroned ‘Titanic’ as the #1 box office movie of all time (with an - at the time - unprecedented $2 billion dollars). Unlike other major franchises/properties (i.e Star Wars, MCU), that peak during its first three days, and then financially plummet two to three weeks later, Avatar plays the long game at the box office.
As we all know, these wondrous epics have reinvented cinema with their groundbreaking visuals that have stood the test of time. ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ was able to advance its visuals - and story - even further, given its 13 year gap. ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ continues the story of ‘The Way of Water’ while expanding the world of Pandora. As more people are eventually coming to realize that both ‘The Way of Water’ and ‘Fire and Ash’ were filmed back to back…and were originally one movie. It wasn’t until early production when James Cameron decided to split the film into two parts, due to too many ideas that were crammed into the second movie’s first act.
So, ‘Fire and Ash’ begins directly where ‘The Way of Water’ concluded. After seeing the third installment four times now (although my appreciation has increased significantly within each viewing), there are definitely an abundance of characters, storylines and ambitious ideas that are packed into this three hour and seventeen minute long epic…maybe even a little too much.
In an interview with Collider, Cameron was asked about the possibility of a director’s cut to ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’, where his response was “We’re thinking about that right now”. “So, yeah, we might have had maybe 25 minutes, 30 minutes of good quality material, but it lost momentum, or it was a little repetitious, or things like that.” While Cameron has stated his reasons for trimming his film down, the theatrical cut of ‘Fire and Ash’ makes it the first imperfect ‘Avatar” movie.
Granted, this movie is another marvelous James Cameron epic that is still a whole lot better than the majority of features that have arrived this year or even last year for that matter. But as someone who considers the first and second films perfect, this third installment is flawed.
Avatar: Fire and Ash Is A Flawed Masterpiece
From the opening sequence, we pick up exactly where the first sequel left off. The Sully family are grieving from the devastating loss of the elderest son Neteyam, who was murdered by the Sky people. Lo’ak, the second son, feels tremendous guilt over Neteyam’s death (since his brother died due to Lo’ak’s decision to rescue Spider, who was captured by the RDA). Jake and Neytiri’s relationship is in a bit of a halt. Jake is trying to keep himself busy by searching for weapons to use against the Sky people… shall they ever return (SPOILER ALERT: They DO!!). Neytiri is battling with her ferocious hate towards the Sky people…and Spider - for being a “Pink Skin” (a derogatory term the Na’vi use to describe humans, which is introduced here). Due to the RDA (and Col. Miles Quartich)’s malicious need to recapture Spider, both Jake and Neytiri agree to hand Spider over to The Wind Traders (a new Na’vi clan, who travel to areas of Pandora through the air). Eventually, the Sully family joins the “Wind Traders Express” to keep Spider company. That is, until The Ash People (aka The Mangkwan Clan) arrive to take them down, and that is where this story proceeds…mostly.
The first two Avatar movies are masterpieces, on both a visual and storytelling standpoint (YES!). James Cameron has worked on these projects for over 30 years and with that, he has delivered one of - if not - the most immersive cinematic achievements of all time that have connected with audiences all around the world for over 15 years. In 2009, Cameron welcomed the world into the enchanting world of Pandora. In 2022, Cameron returned to the fictional world with a generational story that reintroduced our two main characters, as they grew a family together. Now, in 2025, Cameron has returned (once again) to continue that story, with some new additions.
The story is massive (maybe even TOO massive for a single film to handle). Originally, ‘Fire and Ash’ had a length of 3 hours and 23 minutes (excluding credits). The final runtime clocks in at 3 hours and 17 minutes (including credits) making it the longest entry in the trilogy (‘Avatar’ is 2 hours and 42 minutes, and ‘The Way of Water’ is 3 hours and 12 minutes). There are new characters (Na’vi clans) that are introduced, The Wind Traders and The Ash People, as well as the new and existing characters, storylines, and themes. However, this time, all of these elements are not exactly tackled fully nor smoothly.
Varang, and The Mangkwan Clan (aka The Ash People)
In Early 2023, during an interview for ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’, Cameron announced that Avatar 3 (as it was called at the time) would introduce a new side of the Na’vi, called The Ash People, who would be the villains of the third film. It was a very exciting idea to show a different side of Pandora that wasn’t all good. In 2024, during D23, Cameron revealed concept art (as well as the official title) for Avatar 3. These artworks provided details of The Ash People, and The Wind Traders.
In 2025, during CinemaCon, the first official teaser was screened in HFR (High Frame Rate) 3D. Within the teaser, Varang and The Ash People were introduced, “Your Goddess Has No Dominion Here”, that was the final line in the trailer uttered by Varang. By September 2025, a new trailer released online, and fan anticipation started to grow heavier, despite many doubters who’ve claimed to “have had enough of these movies”. However, with a new villain on the horizon, ‘Fire and Ash’ seemed like it could be the Avatar movie to win over more people.
For those who were eager to see the new Na’vi clan, you’ll be mostly satisfied. Varang is a phenomenal extension to this franchise. She is evil and seductive, but one of the biggest complaints is that she and her clan do not receive enough screen time, nor are they the actual antagonists here. They appear in the first battle sequence that occurs 15-20 minutes into the film, and we see them afterwards as they capture the Sully kids (Lo’ak, Tuk, Kiri, & Spider) for five minutes.
It is not until the middle of the second act when the main antagonist Colonel Miles Quartich (in his Na’vi form) travels to the volcanic village to ask for Varang’s help in capturing the Sully family. This part leads to a trippy (and awesome) sequence where Varang reveals her backstory. Afterwards, Varang becomes Quartich’s Harley Quinn. She, and her clan, go with Quartich to capture Jake Sully and bring him to Bridgehead City (An area that The Sky People are turning into Earth). Varang and The Ash People also appear during the final battle sequence, but they are secondary villains that are in the background for the majority.
The Wind Traders
Now, The Wind Traders were not teased nearly as much as The Ash People. However, given the concept arts and interviews with James Cameron, this brand new Na’vi group sounded very ambitious. As we see in the movie, this group rides around through the air on their ships. It’s like Pirates of the Caribbean on Pandora. Their purpose is to get Spider and bring him along with them to Caravan. However, once Jake and Netyiri tell him (and their kids) their plan, they all reject it. So, they all agree to keep Spider company as Peylak and the Wind Traders head to Caravan. This is where The Ash People show up and brutally attack them.
Given what was teased and their potential, it seems like there was a lot more that the Wind Traders had to offer, and some extended footage that was left on the cutting room floor that would’ve offered a better (and more concise) introduction to them.
The Structure
Usually, the Avatar movies’ structure is perfect. It is smoothly edited and never feels choppy or poorly paced. However, with ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’, the structure is imperfect. It also shows how a lot of scenes were edited out of the final cut. We find our characters traveling back and forth to different villages multiple times, and some of these scenes do not flow as well as they should - at times.
There is a certain moment where we cut from one exciting scene at Bridgehead City, to another immersive underwater sequence in the Metkayina Village. Both of them are 10/10, however both scenes are drastically different from one another and it makes for a (semi) uneven viewing experience. Plus a rushed finale that ends abruptly.
There are also too many characters, subplots, and themes that are being tackled here, and not all of them get an equal amount of attention. Between the Sully family (including Spider), Col. Miles Quartich, the Metkayina clan, the Omatikaya clan, the Mangkwan clan, the Wind Traders, the RDA, Col. Ardmore (Edie Falco), Parker Selfridge (Giavanni Ribisi), the evolution of Bridgehead City and where Earth is headed, Payakan, the Whale tribe, Dr. Ian Garvin (Jemaine Clement), Amrita (the de-aging fluid), and of course…the great mother herself, Eywa!!
That is everything that ‘Fire and Ash’ has to cover. It's all amazing and riveting, but messy with some of its explorations.
Director's Cut
As we all know, James Cameron is no newcomer to director’s cuts. Between Aliens: Special Edition, The Abyss: Special Edition, Terminator 2: Judgment Day: Special Edition & Ultimate Cut, and Avatar: Special Edition & Collector’s Extended Edition, Cameron is very well known for making extended versions of his own films. He has even discussed a potential idea for a super cut to Avatar 2 & 3, but he also confirmed that he is working on a director’s cut for ‘Fire and Ash’ that is around a half hour long.
Where a Director’s Cut could improve Avatar 3 is in its structure, introduction of new characters, allowing the Mangkwan clan more screen presence, a satisfying finale that isn’t rushed, and a clear (and equal) focus on the quadruple amount of substance that is jam-packed in this epic.
A bonus would be a Blu-Ray exclusive Collector’s Extended Cut featuring an alternate opening revolving around the backstory of the Ash people (aka the Mangkwan clan). The Future of Avatar
As of now, the future of Avatar depends on this new film's box office run, and James Cameron’s ultimate decision. As a tremendous Avatar fan, a fourth and fifth movie (that was already promised to us) would be another dream come true. But we’ll have to see. If worse comes to worse, Cameron will end it here, and he will (hopefully) begin the script to ‘Ghost of Hiroshima’; which sounds highly promising.
What are your thoughts?
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