The cast of Avatar 3 brings back the central characters from James Cameron’s first two Pandora adventures while introducing several important new faces. Officially titled Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third film returns Sam Worthington as Jake Sully and Zoe Saldaña as Neytiri, while adding Oona Chaplin as the formidable Varang and David Thewlis as Peylak. The movie was released in theaters on December 19, 2025, and is now available to stream on Disney+.
With a large ensemble spanning the Sully family, the Metkayina, the RDA and new Na’vi clans, understanding who plays whom can be confusing. Here is a clear guide to the major cast members and their characters.
Who Is in the Cast of Avatar 3?
The cast combines familiar performers with actors playing entirely new characters. The official Disney listing includes Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Oona Chaplin, Cliff Curtis, Kate Winslet, David Thewlis and several returning younger performers.
| Actor | Character | Role in Fire and Ash |
|---|---|---|
| Sam Worthington | Jake Sully | Na’vi leader and father |
| Zoe Saldaña | Neytiri | Na’vi warrior and Jake’s partner |
| Sigourney Weaver | Kiri | Sully family member with a mysterious connection to Pandora |
| Stephen Lang | Colonel Miles Quaritch | Jake’s longtime adversary |
| Oona Chaplin | Varang | Leader of the Mangkwan, or Ash People |
| David Thewlis | Peylak | Leader of the Wind Traders |
| Kate Winslet | Ronal | Metkayina leader |
| Cliff Curtis | Tonowari | Metkayina chief |
| Britain Dalton | Lo’ak | Jake and Neytiri’s son |
| Trinity Jo-Li Bliss | Tuktirey (Tuk) | Youngest Sully child |
| Jack Champion | Spider | Human teenager raised alongside the Sully children |
Sam Worthington as Jake Sully
Sam Worthington returns as Jake Sully, the former human Marine who became a Na’vi leader. Jake remains one of the story’s central figures, balancing his responsibilities as a leader with his role as a father.
In Fire and Ash, Jake and his family continue dealing with the consequences of the events in Avatar: The Way of Water. The official film description again identifies Worthington as the actor behind the Marine-turned-Na’vi leader.
Zoe Saldaña as Neytiri
Zoe Saldaña reprises her role as Neytiri, the skilled Na’vi warrior and Jake’s partner. Neytiri’s relationship with her children remains an important part of the third film, particularly as the family faces another major threat.
The official Avatar material describes Neytiri as a central member of the Sully family and confirms Saldaña’s return.
Sigourney Weaver as Kiri
Sigourney Weaver returns in a different role from the one she played in the original Avatar. She portrays Kiri, the adopted daughter of Jake and Neytiri.
Kiri was introduced in Avatar: The Way of Water, where her unusual connection to Pandora became one of the story’s major mysteries. Her continued importance makes Weaver one of the most distinctive returning members of the cast.
Stephen Lang as Colonel Miles Quaritch
Stephen Lang is back as Colonel Miles Quaritch. The character returns in recombinant Na’vi form after his death in the first film, retaining memories of his previous life and his longstanding conflict with Jake.
Quaritch remains connected to the human military presence on Pandora, giving the returning storyline a direct link to the original film. Disney’s cast listing confirms Lang’s appearance in Fire and Ash.
New Faces in the Cast of Avatar 3
The third film expands Pandora beyond the environments and communities established in the earlier movies. Two of the most significant new characters are Varang and Peylak.
Oona Chaplin as Varang
Oona Chaplin plays Varang, the leader of the Mangkwan, also known as the Ash People. This clan has been shaped by volcanic destruction, creating a very different culture from the forest-dwelling Omatikaya and ocean-based Metkayina.
Official Avatar material identifies Varang as a major new threat and explains that the Mangkwan have developed a complicated relationship with Eywa after suffering devastating environmental destruction.
David Thewlis as Peylak
David Thewlis joins the franchise as Peylak, leader of the Wind Traders. The group is a nomadic Na’vi clan associated with the skies of Pandora and unusual giant creatures resembling airborne vessels.
Thewlis is therefore one of the most prominent new additions to the cast, and official franchise material says Peylak and the Wind Traders have significance beyond the third film.
💡 Pro Tip: If you are trying to remember the new characters, focus on their clans first: Varang leads the Mangkwan or Ash People, while Peylak leads the Wind Traders. That distinction makes the expanding Pandora storyline much easier to follow.
Returning Sully Family and Metkayina Characters
The younger members of the cast continue to receive substantial attention. Britain Dalton returns as Lo’ak, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss plays Tuktirey, and Jack Champion returns as Spider. These characters were established as part of the younger generation in The Way of Water.
Kate Winslet also returns as Ronal, while Cliff Curtis reprises Tonowari. Both characters belong to the Metkayina, the reef-dwelling Na’vi clan introduced in the second movie.
Bailey Bass returns as Tsireya, the Metkayina character who developed a close relationship with Lo’ak. Filip Geljo also returns as Aonung, while other performers from the second film remain part of the broader ensemble.
Other Returning Cast Members
The cast is considerably larger than the principal names above. Official listings also include Joel David Moore as Norm Spellman, CCH Pounder as Mo’at, Edie Falco as General Frances Ardmore, Jemaine Clement as Dr. Ian Garvin, Giovanni Ribisi as Parker Selfridge and Brendan Cowell as Captain Mick Scoresby.
Jamie Flatters also returns as Neteyam, although his character’s presence differs from that of the living Sully family members. Duane Evans Jr. and other performers are likewise credited in the film.
What Makes the Third Film’s Cast Different?
The cast of Avatar 3 is notable because the story broadens Pandora’s cultures rather than simply repeating the setup of the first two films. The first movie centered heavily on the forest-dwelling Omatikaya, while The Way of Water introduced the Metkayina and their ocean environment.
Fire and Ash adds the Mangkwan and Wind Traders, creating new cultural and geographical perspectives. The official trailers specifically introduced the Ash People and their leader Varang, as well as Peylak and the Wind Traders.
That expansion also changes the dramatic relationships around Jake and Neytiri. Instead of presenting every Na’vi group as culturally similar, the film explores communities that have developed different beliefs and responses to the hardships of Pandora.
📌 Key Takeaway: The cast of Avatar 3 combines the Sully family and familiar characters from earlier films with new figures who expand Pandora’s world. Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver and Stephen Lang lead the returning cast, while Oona Chaplin and David Thewlis introduce two important new Na’vi characters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who plays Jake Sully in Avatar 3?
Sam Worthington plays Jake Sully in Avatar: Fire and Ash. Jake is the former Marine who became a Na’vi and later a leader on Pandora. Worthington has portrayed the character throughout the main Avatar films, making him one of the franchise’s principal returning actors.
Who is the new villain in Avatar 3?
Oona Chaplin plays Varang, the leader of the Mangkwan, also called the Ash People. The character represents a new Na’vi faction shaped by volcanic devastation and a loss of faith in Eywa. Official franchise material presents Varang as a major opposing force in the film.
Is Sigourney Weaver in Avatar 3?
Yes. Sigourney Weaver returns as Kiri, rather than reprising her original role as Dr. Grace Augustine. Kiri was introduced in Avatar: The Way of Water and remains an important member of the Sully family in the third installment.
Is Kate Winslet in Avatar 3?
Yes. Kate Winslet returns as Ronal, a member of the Metkayina and the partner of Tonowari. The official cast list confirms Winslet among the returning performers in Avatar: Fire and Ash.
Who plays Peylak in Avatar 3?
David Thewlis plays Peylak, the leader of the Wind Traders. Peylak is a new Na’vi character introduced in the third film, and official franchise information identifies the Wind Traders as a nomadic clan with a distinctive connection to Pandora’s skies.
The cast of Avatar 3 reflects how far James Cameron’s Pandora story has expanded since 2009. Alongside returning favorites such as Jake, Neytiri, Kiri, Lo’ak and Quaritch, Fire and Ash introduces Varang, Peylak and new Na’vi communities. For viewers following the franchise, those new characters provide an important entry point into the film’s wider world.
