In a recent interview, director James Cameron revealed that the plot at the center ofAvatar: Fire and Ashmay not be what audiences expect, or even want, which hints at a popular yet tragic theory about the upcoming film. Since 2009, theAvatarfranchise has broken massive barriers in the entertainment industry. A sci-fi tale written and directed by Cameron,Avatarfollows Jake Sully, a former Marine who joins a crew to explore Pandora, an intergalactic planet which is inhabited by free-spiritedcreatures known as Na’vi. Soon enough, Sully realizes that humanity may be doing more harm than good.
Ever since the release ofAvatar: The Way of Waterin 2022, audiences have been eager for the next installment in theAvatarfranchise. Set to premiere in December 2025, some of the only things known aboutAvatar: Fire and Ashare its name and its returning cast members. However, in an interview withEmpire, Cameron explained thatthe thirdAvatarmovie will include major risks that will have audiences potentially saying, “that’s not what I signed up for.“Many believe that this comment confirms a bigAvatartheory: Jake Sully will die inAvatar 3.
Avatar: The Way Of Water Was Already Setting Up A Replacement For Jake Sully
Jake Sully’s Death Theory Explained
Cameron’s comments may seem innocuous to some, but others feel that they only confirm the inevitable. Aside from Cameron promising to make dangerous choices inAvatar 3, which could include character deaths,Avatar: The Way of Wateralready set the stage for Sully’s death by introducing his replacement.Way of Watershowcases Sully’s children, each of whom has a particular strength or ability, and their 14-year-old son Lo’ak feels especially important. Once Sully is gone,Avatarcould easily promote Lo’ak to the rank of protagonist by exploring his connection to Payakanand Pandora’s natural world.
As much as Sully’s future death can be proven byAvatar’splot choices, the theory is also based on an inexplicable feeling of inevitability. IfAvataris supposed to last for five movies, andWay of Wateralready jumped forward in time by almost two decades, then it seems unlikely that Sully would be the protagonist for all five movies.ByAvatar 5,he would be ancient. Furthermore,it would be the juiciest tragedy thatAvatarcould create to kill off its main characterin some heroic sacrifice. Ultimately, it fits with his character and the franchise’s epic scope.
James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire & Ash Comments Make Jake’s Death More Plausible
How Cameron Can Make Fire & Ash Even More Surprising
Now that Cameron has publicly acknowledged thatAvatar: Fire and Ash’sstory may upset people, it seems even more possible that Sully will die in the next movie. Admittedly, Cameron remains quite vague in his comments aboutAvatar 3,but there are few things as upsetting to viewers as major character deaths. It is also important to remember thatCameron wants to shock audiences without making them resent the movie. In this way, killing Sully will be painful for audiences, but won’t completely ruin the franchise. Sully has had his time in the sun.
10 Things We Know About Avatar: Fire & Ash’s Story
James Cameron and the Avatar: Fire & Ash cast have already revealed some spoilers about the story of the upcoming third entry in the Avatar franchise.
Of course,there are other ways in which Cameron can shake up viewers' expectations inAvatar: Fire and Ash.Other characters may achieve tragic endings, including Sully’s other children or even Neytiri. There could also be an unexpected betrayal that will hurt audiences just as much as it will hurtAvatar’scast of characters. At the core ofAvataris the conflict between humans and the Na’vi, so Cameron’s comments could easily have something to do with that. Perhaps, the humans will finally prevail. Either way, viewers need to brace themselves forAvatar 3.
Replacing Jake Sully As Avatar’s Hero Makes Sense For Future Movies
Avatar Needs To Maintain Its Epic Scale To Stay Successful
As much as Sully’s death would be tragic forAvatarlovers, it would also be a beneficial move for the franchise. As previously mentioned,Sully simply cannot carry the entire five movies due to his age,and anyway, the film series has so many other great characters that could be just as wonderful to follow. In just two movies,Avatarhas crafted a vast and exciting world, and rather than diminishing it by focusing on just one character, it would do well to expand even further with its most interesting characters.
In reality, the thing that makesAvatarso groundbreaking is its epic scale, and keeping this up will be vital to the franchise’ssuccess.
In reality, the thing that makesAvatarso groundbreaking is its epic scale, and keeping this up will be vital to the franchise’ssuccess.Avatar: The Way of Watersuccessfully expanded Pandorawith the introduction of the Metkayina, andAvatar: Fire and Ashwill have to have the same effect. Therefore, it will be good forAvatar: Fire and Ashto secure another main character who can outlive Sully and see a new dawn for the world ofAvatar.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Cast
Avatar: Fire and Ash is a 2025 science fiction film continuing the saga of Pandora. Jake Sully and Neytiri confront a formidable new enemy, the Ash People, led by Varang. Struggling with personal loss and external threats, they strive to protect their family and Pandora’s future.
