James Cameron’s Avatar series has nothing to do with Avatar: The Last Airbender, but the franchise is following a similar path by going on a tour of the elements. After the first movie involved former Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) conquering the skies and Avatar: The Way of Water took him and his family into the ocean, the conflict on Pandora is heating up in Avatar: Fire and Ash.
The first trailer for Avatar: Fire and Ash, which will be released in December, was exclusively screened over the weekend ahead of Fantastic Four: First Steps and released online Monday. It shows off Cameron’s visual mastery with a look back at where the series has been, soaring above the alien moon and returning to the seas. There are scenes involving the whale-like Payakan that were a highlight of Avatar: The Way of Water, along with some beautiful new critters that fly airships.
But the real focus is on the Ash clan, who don’t seem to be particularly interested in allying with Jake and his Na’vi wife Neytiri (Zoe Saldana). The trailer offers a first look at their leader Varang (Oona Chaplin) warning Jake and Neytiri’s adopted daughter Kiri (Sigourney Weaver) that “your goddess has no dominion here,” a reference to Kiri’s unique bond to the Great Mother Eywa that has allowed her to connect with animals on Pandora.
Varang will also presumably be a big threat to Jake and Neytiri’s adopted human son Spider (Jack Champion), who is seen in peril in the trailer. Despite living among the Na’vi he can’t breathe naturally on Pandora and also has to contend with his biological father Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang), who was killed by Neytiri in the first film. Quaritch is back in a Na’vi body and still looking for vengeance, seemingly teaming up with Varang, since he’s shown painted in the same bright red colors.
Avatar: Fire and Ash will be released theatrically on Dec. 19.