Since theAvatarfranchise has exploded back onto cinema screens with the recent release ofAvatar 2: Way of the Water, excitement has been growing for the third installment. Director James Cameron has been slowly releasing snippets of information, hints, and teasers about possible plot points for the third movie. One such piece of information involves the introduction of the ‘Ash People,’ a race of beings whorepresent a darker side to the Na’vion Pandora, and are set to predominantly utilize and worship fire.
The first movie focused on the connection to Earth through the spirit Eywa, while the second film focused on learning about the seas and adapting to the water in order to survive. As such, it is believed that the third movie will focus on fire as both a weapon and a resource, with the Ash People pioneering a new representation of the blue aliens of Pandora.
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Are the Ash People The Villains in Avatar 3?
Both of the previous storylines have surrounded native Na’vi people trying to protect their home, Pandora, from outside invasions of human occupation. However, with the introduction of a new, and reportedly less friendly, version of the Navi, James Cameron has already hinted that he wants to flip the narrative on its head, in order to show that there is good and bad in every race. The Na’vi will, for the first time, face challenges among their own people. They could even face a possible civil war taking place for resources of their planet.
This is an exciting move, because the largest criticisms forAvatar 2were that the storyline was too similar to the first film, whichhad the benefit of being unique. Moving in a new direction creates more depth for the native people, and will strengthen the likelihood of success.
Are Humans Still the Villains in Avatar 3?
It has already been shown in the previous two films that there are other tribes of the Na’vi people who have very different ways of life from the main characters. When Jake Sully first came to Pandora in the original movie, he was lucky enough to meet Neytiri, who took her back to her clan, the Omaticaya. This is because they were the clan living in the home tree, which just happened to sit on top of the large wealth of resources that the humans were planning on taking by force. But in order to fight back against their guns and their devastation, the Omaticaya people had to branch out and seek the help of many other tribes.
In order to make amends for his betrayal, Jake became Toruk-Makto, a legendary warrior rider who forms a bond with the most dangerous flying beast on their planet. This inspired the other clans to follow his lead. They journeyed to meet the horse clans of the plains and the Ikran people of the eastern seas, both of whom were more warlike and gentle than the original Omaticaya. Only together were they able to defeat the humans with their guns and war-crafts and ruthless intentions.
The second film also introduced new tribes along the reefs and oceans of the world, including the predominant Metkayina clan,which adds to the franchise’s lore.The Way of Wateralso brings back the humans as the villains, including some familiar faces. It will be interesting to see a version of this world in which the humans may even become the ‘good guys’ and help the Omaticaya against these new Ash People.
What Do We Know About Avatar 3’s Ash People?
There is a lot of variation among the people of this planet. They are not homogenous, and perhaps not all the Na’vi are as gentle and respectful as those seen so far. This could suggest that the Ash People may be more aggressive and territorial, as is suggested by their element of fire, which is often used to represent anger. The Ash People are believed to exist in the volcanic regions of Pandora, and draw their power from the molten biomes of the world. They will undoubtedly have adaptations that allow them to survive in their fiery terrain. There may also be some new fire-borne creatures that they utilize and harness, just as there were in the forests and seas. This is just onething thatAvatar: Way of the Watersets up for its sequelby showing new parts of the world.
Not only is the director adding more depth to the peoples and the characters, there is also talk of new planets and universes being explored. There is the potential goalto bring the Na’vi people to Earth, which has become increasingly inhospitable in human future due to their terrible treatment of the planet and its resources. So far, Pandora has been a safe haven of beauty and color, a place where people can exist in harmony with the world, the spirits of the forest, and the creatures who also dwell there. But perhaps the conflict with the new Ash People will cause devastation beyond repair. Perhaps it will prompt the Omaticaya and the humans to seek new planets and further places in order to survive and grow in their ever-changing lifetimes.
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