Pandora – When Avatar: The Way of Water took audiences back to the breathtaking alien world of Pandora, James Cameron didn’t just bring stunning visuals — he raised the emotional stakes. One of the most devastating twists in the 2022 sequel was the tragic death of Neteyam, the eldest son of Jake Sully and Neytiri. Now, with Avatar: Fire and Ash arriving this December, the emotional aftershocks of that loss will ripple throughout the Sully family — especially among the surviving children.
In the latest edition of Empire’s Path to Pandora, a monthly behind-the-scenes look at Cameron’s expanding saga, we caught up with the young cast to talk about grief, growth, and the next chapter in the epic Avatar series.
Lo’ak: A Leader Burdened by Guilt
Britain Dalton, who plays Lo’ak — the fiery and impulsive younger brother of the fallen Neteyam — offered insight into his character’s emotional arc in Fire and Ash.
“Lo’ak was born to be a leader. But he’s never been given the trust,” Dalton explains. “When Neteyam dies… it’s like a nightmare version of being seen for the first time. It’s not the way he ever imagined it. He blames himself.”
With Neteyam gone, the pressure on Lo’ak intensifies. Not only must he come to terms with survivor’s guilt, but he may also be forced to step up and assume the leadership role once held by his brother — whether he feels ready or not.
Tuktirey: Loss Through Innocent Eyes
For Trinity Bliss’s character, young Tuktirey (affectionately known as Tuk), the death of Neteyam marks her first encounter with personal grief — and the impact will be lasting.
“I don’t think she’ll ever be the same,” Bliss says. “It’s the first time she’s experienced a death in her life. She’s still her small and mighty self, and maybe she’ll move up the Sully ranks, but she’s carrying something heavy now.”
As the youngest member of the Sully family, Tuk’s journey in Fire and Ash will be one of maturity and emotional awakening, as she finds new strength in the wake of heartbreaking loss.
Spider: Torn Between Two Worlds
Meanwhile, Spider (played by Jack Champion) finds himself emotionally adrift. As the biological son of Quaritch — the resurrected and genetically Na’vi-enhanced villain — Spider is stuck between two conflicting identities.
“He feels very conflicted,” Champion says. “His ‘dad’ is reborn into this Na’vi form and still as evil as ever, if not more so — and yet, Spider still felt the need to save him. You see that guilt play out, and the evolution of Spider trying to figure out where he belongs.”
The clash between loyalty to his adopted Na’vi family and the shadow of his biological heritage becomes a central tension in Spider’s arc this time around.
Tsireya: Loyalty, Love, and the Clash of Cultures
Bailey Bass, who plays Tsireya of the Metkayina clan — and Lo’ak’s closest friend and possible love interest — says her character will also face major emotional growth in Fire and Ash.
“Tsireya has this turmoil between what’s right and standing up for people versus what you’re taught your entire life,” Bass reveals. “Her bond with the Sullys continues to grow, but that doesn’t come without conflict.”
Navigating the cultural expectations of her own people while standing by the Sullys puts Tsireya in a challenging — and deeply emotional — position that fans are sure to connect with.
The Emotional Core of Fire and Ash
While Avatar has always been known for its groundbreaking visuals and immersive world-building, Fire and Ash promises something even more potent: an exploration of grief, responsibility, and identity through the lens of its young characters. The death of Neteyam isn’t just a plot point — it’s the emotional engine that drives the film forward.
James Cameron, never one to shy away from deep character work beneath the spectacle, is poised to deliver a story that is as intimate as it is epic. With Fire and Ash, the Avatar universe is not just expanding — it’s deepening, maturing, and evolving.
