A major update on the highly anticipated James Cameron richly detailed world of Pandora in next month’s “Avatar: Fire and Ash” sci-fi sequel seemingly confirms it will be the most epic adventure in the already sprawling franchise so far, per movieweb.com.
The lengthy, even by Avatar standards, runtime for the third movie has reportedly been revealed, promising a colossal follow-up to its multi-billion-dollar predecessors.
Reports from various outlets, including AMC Theatres, indicate that “Avatar: Fire and Ash” will have a runtime of three hours and 15 minutes (195 minutes).
For context, this makes the threequel the longest installment in the Avatar franchise thus far: Avatar (2009): Two hours and 42 minutes and Avatar: The Way of Water (2022): Three hours and 12 minutes.
While a lengthy runtime for an Avatar film will come as little surprise to fans, it’s exciting nonetheless. It will allow director James Cameron to once again pack in even more action, story, characters and sci-fi lore than ever before. This extended runtime is crucial, as Fire and Ash plans to not only continue the stories of the already vast ensemble cast but also introduce a new villain and several new Na’vi tribes.
“Avatar: Fire and Ash” sees James Cameron take audiences back to Pandora in an immersive new adventure with Marine turned Na’vi leader Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), Na’vi warrior Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), and the Sully family.
The sci-fi action sequel, which has a screenplay by James Cameron, Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, will expand the franchise even further. It introduces new tribes of Na’vi, notably Oona Chaplin as Varang, the antagonistic leader of the volcano-dwelling “Ash People.”
While very few have seen the film, one lucky viewer is Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro, who has declared the latest sequel a masterpiece.
“I’ve seen the three Avatars. They are absolute masterpieces. I know where it’s going, and I think it’s going to surprise a lot of people. I can’t say anything about [the third] but I can say there are very few Americans that have created a full mythology… Jim is creating that with Avatar, and he’s going to take you places.”
Avatar: Fire and Ash is due to land in theatres on December 19, 2025.
The main cast includes Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Oona Chaplin, Cliff Curtis, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Edie Falco, David Thewlis, Jemaine Clement and Kate Winslet.
•Featured image: 20th Century Studios
