Avatar: Fire & Ashis the upcoming third installment in James Cameron’s acclaimed sci-fi series, bringing audiences back to Pandora and introducinga new tribe of Ash Na’vi called the Mangkwan Clan. Much of the series’ returning cast will reprise their roles inFire & Ash, with Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, and Sigourney Weaver all coming back for the sequel.
Thestory ofAvatar: Fire & Ashhas been tightly kept under wraps, up until now. Thefirst trailer forAvatar: Fire & Ashhas now been released, providing the best look yet at the bold and ambitious blockbuster James Cameron has made next.
It’s clear that this sequel is going to build upon the story of the existing movies whileusing the Mangkwan Clan to complicate Jake Sully’s integration with the Na’vi people. The relationships and tension within the Sully family is a key focus, but one of the most intriguing teases so far comes with Spider and a big twist to come.
Spider Doesn’t Have A Mask On In Several Avatar: Fire & Ash Trailer Shots
The Character Previously Needed One To Breathe In Pandora
Spider is one of the most interestingcharacters inAvatar: Fire & Ash, as he’s among the few recurring faces who aren’t Na’vi. As the overall narrative of theAvatarfranchise has drifted further into the world of Pandora and away from humanity, the inclusion of an entirely human character like Spider allows for someinteresting commentary on humanity’s place in the natural order.
However, the first trailer forAvatar: Fire & Ashraises a huge question about him, as Spider is repeatedly seen in the Pandora wilderness without an oxygen mask on. While he can still be seen wearing the equipment in some scenes,there are several very brief moments in the trailer where he’s outsidewithoutthe maskand seemingly coping just fine.
InThe Way of Water, Spider was always seen with an oxygen mask to allow his human body to breathe in Pandora. This has been standard for humans since the original film. Although he grew up around Jake and the Na’vi on Pandora, the environment still wasn’t habitable for his human form.
There’s no dialogue in the trailer to explain this key change in Spider’s character, but it’s important to note that most of the scenes in which he’s without the mask seem to beafterthe protagonists’ introduction to the Mangkwan Clan. The most obvious example is when Spider can be seen slipping from a rock above a sea of lava, which isn’t an environment we’ve seen the Na’vi in before.
Spider Not Having A Mask Suggests He Won’t Remain Fully Human
He May Be Physically Adapting To Pandora’s Environment
All of this evidence seems to indicate that Spider will somehowbiologicallyintegrate with the Na’vi to mirror his spiritual and behavioral integration. The conflict with the Mangkwan Clan likely has something to do with it. There’s a potentially revealing moment where the Sully children are gathered around Spider, still in the oxygen mask, and seemingly fearful that he could die.
This seems to be the inciting moment for Spider’s biology to change somehow and make him able to explore Pandora without the use of a mask. Exactlyhowthis transformation happens still remains a mystery, but that just opens the door for theories and speculation.
One of theleading theories about this burningFire & Ashquestionis that Spider will be granted the ability to breathe naturally on Pandora by the Na’vi deities, specifically Eywa.A return to the Tree of Souls may have something to do with Spider’s transformationthen. Or, Kiri’s strong connection to Eywa could be used to help him to live an uninhibited existence on Pandora.
There’s also the chance that Spider’s development is tied to a human technical advancement. That would be a fascinating twist if the humans have found a way to make Pandora more hospitable to their needs, potentially risking the lives of the Na’vi further. This would also eliminate any need for the Avatar program.
Whatever the details end up being, it’s clear thatSpider’s transformation will be just as much of an allegorical one as a physical one.
One ofAvatar’s most central ideas is that people are a product of the surrounding environment.The Way of Watershowed Jake’s transformation into a functioning member of Na’vi society, andFire & Ashmay be doing the same for Spider. As the child of the Na’vi’s most deadly oppressor,it would be very poignant for Spider to physically transform into the people he chose over his own.
If he really does lose the need for an oxygen mask inAvatar:Fire and Ash, this would clearly be a metaphor for his pure heart and love for the Na’vi people. This would finally complete the character’s transformation, proving that despite his human heritage, he’s worthy of living among the Na’vi.
