James Cameron promises that Avatar 3 'will go further' and changes the protagonist

James Cameron confirmed that  "Avatar: Fire and Ash"  is going to show a transformation in the saga. The focus of the movie will shift from Jake Sully to Neytiri, his Na'vi partner.

The change responds to a logical evolution of the character and the need to address a darker tone. Neytiri will channel her grief over the loss of her son in a movie that aims to be the most intense of the entire franchise.

Why does Neytiri take the lead in Avatar: Fire and Ash?

According to the specialized site ScreenRant, James Cameron seeks to delve into Neytiri's emotional and warrior side. After Neteyam's death in "The Way of Water", the character is marked by pain.

That grief becomes the driving force of her storyline. Neytiri doesn't forgive the humans for taking so much from her, and her connection with the new ash clan will reinforce that anger.

The ash clan and a new conflict

In this installment, Pandora will show its most hostile side. The ash clan appears, which renounces Eywa because the Great Mother didn't protect them when their home was destroyed.

This tribal group presents itself as the perfect link for Neytiri to channel her fury. The narrative twist is not only coherent but also responds to the criticism about the character's limited participation in the second installment.

Jake Sully moves to the background

Cameron himself stated that Sully already had his development in the previous movie, where his adaptation to Na'vi life and his role as a father were explored. Now, the director wants the focus to shift to Neytiri.

The idea is to show her interiority in a rawer way, with scenes that highlight both her pain and her determination. "This is going to go much further," promised the director about Zoe Saldaña's character.

When does "Avatar 3" premiere?

"Avatar: Fire and Ash" has a confirmed release date for December 19 of this year. The expectation is high, although this time Cameron won't have the surprise factor or the nostalgia of the first installment.

The challenge will be to maintain interest with a darker, introspective story anchored in pain, grief, and revenge. Neytiri seems to be the key to achieving it.