James Cameron’s ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ trailer debuts at CinemaCon

James Cameron’s “Avatar: Fire and Ash”, the third chapter in the legendary sci-fi saga, made a splashy debut with its first trailer during CinemaCon in Las Vegas on Thursday (April 3). Unlike its predecessors that weathered multiple delays, this instalment seems to be cruising right on schedule—thanks to Cameron’s decision to film the sequels back-to-back, ensuring a smoother release timeline for the rest of the franchise.

CinemaCon attendees were treated to an exclusive 3D experience, as the trailer—yet to be unveiled to the public—lit up the screen with visually stunning scenes.

The footage opens on the lush, alien landscapes of Pandora, where audiences are introduced to two new Na’vi tribes: the Wind Traders, who float through the skies in majestic, balloon-like airships, and their fierce rivals, the Fire People, who swoop in on Ikran creatures with flaming arrows at the ready. Tensions ignite midair, leading to a tragic loss when one Na’vi falls in battle.

“We can’t keep living like this, baby,” Jake Sully pleads with Neytiri. “We can’t carry this hate anymore.”

The saga of Pandora continues as Avatar dives deeper into the trials faced by Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña), leaders of their Na’vi clan. Picking up directly after “The Way of Water”, the third film—”Avatar: Fire and Ash”—finds the Sully family reeling from the devastating loss of their son, Neteyam.

In search of safety and solidarity, they turn to the ocean-dwelling Metkayina clan, only to find themselves thrust into yet another war—this time, against both the returning forces of the Resource Development Administration and a powerful new faction that rises from the flames.

Their journey spans the breathtaking ecosystems of Pandora, from crashing ocean waves to soaring mountain peaks, lush forests, and unending skies. The stakes are higher than ever.

During a tense moment in the extended preview shown at CinemaCon, the chief of the Metkayina solemnly declares, “This enemy, born from the stars—we cannot overcome them.”

Zoe Saldaña appeared live on stage to unveil the exclusive footage, offering insights into the new cultures being introduced.

“The Wind Traders are gentle wanderers of the skies,” she explained. “In stark contrast, the Ash People are a once-Na’vi tribe that abandoned Eywa, the sacred spirit of our world.”

One chilling line from the trailer cuts through the tension: the Ash leader turns to Neytiri and says coldly, “Your goddess holds no power here.”

Though James Cameron couldn’t attend in person—still fine-tuning the next chapter in his epic—he sent a recorded message to CinemaCon attendees.

“The Sullys are pushed to their limits in this film,” he hinted. “Not only are they grappling with relentless human threats, but also with the rise of the Ash People—formidable enemies forged from within.”

James Cameron may have been a no-show at CinemaCon this year, but his absence came with a fittingly epic reason: he’s holed up in New Zealand, racing against time to complete “Avatar: Fire and Ash”.

In a pre-recorded message to a packed hall of theater owners, the legendary filmmaker offered a candid apology with his trademark wit. “Wish I could be there,” he said. “But I’m busy finishing ‘Fire and Ash’—and honestly, that’s probably the best way I can spend my time, considering this beast is thundering toward us for a December 19 release.”

Cameron expressed hope that the film would help rejuvenate cinema halls still reeling from the double blow of the pandemic and the streaming boom.

For theatre operators, any new “Avatar” film is more than a release—it’s a lifeline. The original 2009 “Avatar” and its long-awaited 2022 sequel, “The Way of Water”, both crossed the $2 billion mark globally, setting the gold standard for theatrical blockbusters.

If “Fire and Ash” matches that performance, Avatar will become the only franchise in history with three $2 billion-grossing entries.

For perspective, even Disney’s mighty Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has managed only two: “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Endgame”.

Cameron himself, however, already reigns supreme as the only director with three such films under his belt—including the enduring classic “Titanic”.

“Avatar: Fire and Ash” is slated for a December 19 theatrical debut, just in time for the holiday box office rush. Looking further ahead, “Avatar 4” is currently scheduled for December 21, 2029, followed by “Avatar 5” on December 19, 2031.

Disney didn’t stop with “Pandora”. As part of its CinemaCon presentation, the studio gave exclusive sneak peeks at a slate of upcoming releases, including Marvel’s “Thunderbolts”, “Fantastic Four: The First Steps”, the animated sequel “Zootopia 2”, a magical revisit in “Freakier Friday”, the high-tech fantasy “Tron: Ares”, and a live-action reimagining of “Lilo & Stitch”.

All are poised to hit the big screen before year’s end.

“Disney films stay in theatres longer than any of our competitors—and that’s not by coincidence,” said Andrew Cripps, Disney’s head of global distribution. “We are fully committed to the theatrical experience.”