Stephen Lang Confirms Return as Quaritch in Avatar 3, Set for December 2025 Release

Actor Stephen Lang has officially confirmed his continued involvement in the Avatar franchise, reprising his role as the antagonist Colonel Miles Quaritch in the upcoming installment, tentatively titled Avatar: Fire and Ash. This third chapter is slated for a theatrical debut on December 19, 2025. Lang will once again embody the villain, this time inhabiting the body of a Recombinant—a Na'vi avatar infused with Quaritch’s memories, a direct narrative consequence stemming from the events of the previous film.

According to Lang, principal photography for Avatar 3, and potentially even for subsequent sequels, is already complete. This indicates that the production pipeline is significantly advanced. Director James Cameron is reportedly now dedicating his focus to the post-production phase to ensure the 2025 release window remains achievable. Producer Jon Landau previously revealed that a substantial amount of footage for both the third and even parts of the fourth film was captured concurrently with the production of Avatar: The Way of Water, highlighting the ambitious, large-scale production strategy employed by Lightstorm Entertainment and 20th Century Studios.

The narrative arc for the third film promises to delve deeper into Quaritch’s internal struggle with self-identity. This development suggests a potential shift in his allegiances or a more complex moral positioning, especially as the story introduces entirely new Na'vi clans. Specifically, audiences will meet the Ash People, a clan that James Cameron has described as embodying the element of fire, serving as a thematic counterpoint to the more benevolent Na'vi depicted in the first two entries. The leader of this group is expected to be Varang, portrayed by Oona Chaplin. Unconfirmed reports suggest that this Ash People clan might form an alliance with Quaritch and the forces of the RDA, which could dramatically escalate the conflict within the Na'vi communities.

The expansion of Pandora’s diverse cultures will continue with the introduction of other groups, such as the Wind Traders. Cameron has characterized these individuals as nomadic merchants who maintain a symbiotic relationship with the planet’s flying creatures. While The Way of Water centered heavily on aquatic environments, the third installment is anticipated to adopt a noticeably darker tone, exploring previously unseen facets of the alien world. Furthermore, Avatar: Fire and Ash is rumored to be the longest film in the series thus far, with a reported runtime of 3 hours and 15 minutes. The success of this picture is paramount, as it directly influences the viability of the entire planned five-film saga, including the scheduled releases for Avatar 4 in December 2029 and Avatar 5 in December 2031.

In preparation for the new film’s arrival, a strategic theatrical engagement is planned. A one-week re-release of Avatar: The Way of Water is scheduled to begin on October 3, 2025, giving audiences a chance to refresh their memories before diving into the next chapter.