Story by Fathima, 22 July 2025
Varang, portrayed by Game of Thrones alum Oona Chaplin, leads the Mangkwan Clan, also known as the “Ash People.” She’s a hardened, aggressive Na’vi who rejects Eywa and views nature with contempt after her people’s hometree was destroyed in a volcanic eruption . In the first trailer and concept art, she’s seen in towering red-and-black war paint, wielding what appears to be a flame weapon, and riding a fierce Nightwraith.
A chilling line from Varang—“Your goddess has no dominion here.”—delivered to Jake and Neytiri’s daughter Kiri, marks a dramatic ideological clash between eye-believing Na’vi and the Ash People.
Past Chapters: A Refresher
- Avatar (2009)
Jake Sully joins the Omatikaya, discovers Pandora’s beauty, connects deeply with Eywa, and battles the RDA to save his newfound home. - Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
Set years later: Jake, Neytiri, and their expanding family retreat to the ocean-based Metkayina. After losing their son Neteyam, they face renewed RDA threats.- Grossed over $2 billion and is heading back to theaters this October for a limited re-release—partly to refresh fans before Fire and Ash hits screens
Fire and Ash: What’s Next
Plot & Themes
- The next Na’vi conflict arises between the Ash People—boiling with volcanic rage—and the water-aligned Metkayina.
- Colonel Quaritch returns, now allied with Varang and the Ash People, intensifying the danger
- Themes pivot: no longer “humans bad, Na’vi good.” Pandora’s own kind become adversaries—driven by grief, ideology, and survival
Setting & Tone
- The Ash Tribe resides among scorched earth and volcanic destruction. At their heart: the charred remains of a hometree—a bleak mirror to the lush forests of Omatikaya
- Expect grim, emotional storytelling, as James Cameron promised a deeper, more intense entry in the saga
Who plays the role of Varang: Oona Chaplin
- Full name & background
Oona Castilla Chaplin was born on June 4, 1986, in Madrid. She holds Spanish, British, and Swiss citizenships. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), she’s been a vibrant presence in film and TV since 2007.
- Notable roles
Her breakout came as Talisa Maegyr in Game of Thrones (2012–13). She’s also starred in the BBC’s The Crimson Field, FX’s Taboo, and appeared in Quantum of Solace and The Longest Ride . - Casting as Varang
In June 2017, Chaplin was tapped to play Varang, the head of a volcanic Na’vi clan. James Cameron described the character as “strong and vibrant,” central to Fire and Ash and beyond .
Release Date & Trailer Timing
- Global premiere: December 19, 2025
- Trailer drop: Debuts in theaters alongside The Fantastic Four: First Steps starting
With Avatar: Fire and Ash, Cameron invites us to Pandora’s darkest corners—and its fiercest battles. It’s a transformative turn: fire-wrought rage meets oceanic sorrow in a fight not just for survival, but identity.
Mark your calendars for December 19, 2025—Pandora’s fate hangs in the balance.