The latest installment in the Avatar franchise, Avatar: Fire and Ash, delves deep into the evolving relationship between Jake Sully and Colonel Miles Quaritch. This new chapter takes the longstanding rivalry between the two characters into unexpected territory as they navigate their identities within the vibrant world of Pandora.
When audiences first encountered Jake Sully, portrayed by Sam Worthington, and Quaritch, played by Stephen Lang, in James Cameron’s original film, they represented opposing forces: the soldier and the militarized invader. Initially defined by their military backgrounds, Jake’s transformation through his experiences with the Na’vi leads him to reject his former allegiances, while Quaritch undergoes a radical change after inhabiting a Na’vi avatar body in Avatar: The Way of Water.
As Avatar: Fire and Ash unfolds, Quaritch begins to perceive Pandora from the perspective he once sought to annihilate. In an interview with ScreenRant’s Ash Crossan, both actors reflected on how their characters have shifted due to their experiences on Pandora. Worthington noted that this transformation results in a loss of the original military mindset.
Sam Worthington stated, “I think when they drive the Na’vi body, they become more human. They lose a lot of that.” He contrasted the characters’ previous interactions: “In the first movie, the colonel tells Jake, ‘Be careful on Pandora, don’t go too far into the woods.’ In this one, it’s reversed. I’m kind of telling him, ‘This is what you’ve got to see and learn about Pandora, don’t go too far into the woods.’ Which, clearly, he does!”
Lang added an interesting layer to their relationship, emphasizing the persistence of their military hierarchy. “We still address each other as Colonel and Corporal,” he noted. He explained this dynamic reflects their struggle to hold onto familiar roles while facing the daunting challenge of change. “Quaritch is even more entrenched in the military; they define who he is. It’s very, very difficult for him to let go.”
The film portrays a significant shift in their relationship, particularly evident during a pivotal standoff that alters their dynamic. Worthington remarked, “Halfway through the movie, there’s a great standoff, and I think the energy is shifting between them. It’s definitely leaning the other way now.”
As the narrative unfolds, the emotional depth of Jake and Quaritch’s relationship becomes one of the film’s most profound elements. The story examines how their prolonged exposure to Pandora forces both men to confront their evolving identities. Quaritch’s interactions with Oona Chaplin‘s character, Vaarang, leader of the Na’vi Ash People, catalyze a significant transformation in his views towards the Na’vi and his connection to his avatar.
Despite facing high expectations following the success of its predecessors, Avatar: Fire and Ash is projected to open with approximately $350 million globally. However, the film is already contending with a more mixed critical response, currently holding a 69% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 203 reviews.
While this rating represents the franchise’s lowest score to date, it does not diminish James Cameron’s commitment to long-form character development. The film continues to explore themes of identity, power, and transformation over time, encapsulated in the complex dynamics between Jake Sully and Colonel Quaritch.
Scheduled for release on December 19, 2025, Avatar: Fire and Ash promises to further expand the rich tapestry of the Avatar universe, emphasizing the shifting allegiances and emotional journeys of its characters.
