Some first-look photos and concept art fromAvatar: Fire & Ashhave been released, and they show a new clan of Na’vi known as Wind Traders, who could be more formidable than they initially appear.Fire & Ashis one of themost anticipated movies of 2025, unsurprising afterAvatar’s record-breaking original run andAvatar: The Way of Water’s eye-popping $2.3 billion box office run.
As withThe Way of Water, we don’t know much aboutAvatar: Fire & Ash’s storyyet, but it has been confirmed that at least two new clans will be introduced. One of thosenewAvatar 3clans is the Ash Clan, who seem primed to be antagonists in the third movie. The other, however, is not clearly stated as a clan, buta new tribe of people in the movie known as the Wind Traders.While the Ash Clan is getting most of the pre-release attention, the Wind Traders could have a significant impact on the story ofAvatar: Fire & Ash.
Avatar: Fire & Ash’s Wind Traders Explained
They’re A Nomadic People
The new images revealed another look atAvatar: Fire & Ash’s new tribe of Na’vi, the Wind Traders, who were first revealed at Brazil D23. The concept art shows giant ships floating in the sky,carried by jellyfish-like creatures with giant air bladders that support the trader ships on the wind. They’re airships, with a marine inspiration that hearkens back to pirates and the environmentalism of Cameron’s Pandora. James Cameron also gave a brief description of the Wind Traders:
“[The Wind Traders] are nomadic traders, equivalent to the camel caravans of the Spice Road back in the Middle Ages. And you know, they’re just fun. Like all Na’vi, they live in a symbiosis with their creatures. If you’ve got any nautical blood in your veins, you’ll want to be on [their] ship.”
It’s unclear what role the Wind Traders will have inAvatar: Fire & Ash, but they’re an interesting addition to the world and hopefully, they’ll have a significant part to play in the upcoming movie. Interestingly, while their clan is named for the element of air and they move with the wind, they’ll have aquatic stylings, which is a fun twist. It hints at a bit of deception to their existence - or rather, a double layer -and that their ships may be more important than just carrying them on the winds.
Fire & Ash’s Mounts & Ships Suggest They Could Be Secretly Formidable
They Look Like Portuguese Man O' War Jellyfish
Some people have described the Wind Traders' mounts as squid-like, butthe first thing that should come to mind when looking at them is the Portuguese man o' war jellyfish.The blue-purple color scheme and the trailing tentacles are such clear indicators that that was their visual inspiration. This comparison is really driven home by the air bladder that enables them to float, exactly like that of Portuguese man o' war jellyfish - even their elongated shape is the same. The only design difference is that the Wind Traders' mounts have fins or sails on the side, whereas Portuguese man o' war have sails on the top of their wind bladder.
Despite that minor difference, the design is basically exactly the same, and that is almost certainly not without reason. James Cameron is one of the most detail-oriented directors out there and he has crafted every grain of sand in Pandora with meaning. As a deep sea explorer,Cameron has more knowledge of marine life and sea creatures than most people on the planet.If the Wind Traders' mounts resemble Portuguese man o' war, that inspiration is certainly intentional, and the symbolism could have deep meaning inAvatar: Fire & Ash.
The Wind Traders' mounts may very well be capable of delivering a powerful blow while also symbolizing the far, hidden reach of Pandora’s nomadic tribe.
Portuguese man o' war may look harmless and lovely, floating on the surface with their indigo air bladders and graceful tentacles,but they are incredibly dangerous.While their sting is rarely fatal, it is excruciating, including welts, shortness of breath, chest pain, burning, and more. Even after they wash up on a beach and are seemingly dead, their tentacles can still sting, trailing 30 feet or more under the sand, inflicting far-reaching injury. If that’s anything to go by, the Wind Traders' mounts may very well be capable of delivering a powerful blow while also symbolizing the far, hidden reach of Pandora’s nomadic tribe.
The Wind Traders Could Play A Crucial Role In Any Avatar: Fire & Ash Battle
If the Wind Traders are indeed able to defend themselves - and, indeed, it seems they should be able to to protect their goods from skyward pirates - thenthey could play a bigger role inAvatar: Fire & Ashshould the movie have any battle scenes.Oona Chaplin will play a new character, Varang, the leader of the Ash Clan, which has seen terrible hardship. As such, it’s made her hard and antagonistic as she’s willing to go to extreme lengths for her people, putting her in direct opposition to Jake Sully as his enemy.
10 Things We Know About Avatar: Fire & Ash’s Story
James Cameron and the Avatar: Fire & Ash cast have already revealed some spoilers about the story of the upcoming third entry in the Avatar franchise.
From what little is known ofAvatar: Fire & Ash,it seems likely that Sully and his people will clash with the Ash Clan at some point.If that’s the case, the Wind Traders could come to their aid as friends or fight against them as foes. If their jellyfish air mounts are any indication, they could turn the tide of a battle should they choose to engage. It remains to be seen how they’ll factor into the story, but either way, it’s really fun to see the new clans and creatures James Cameron is introducing inAvatar: Fire & Ash.
Avatar: Fire & Ashis slated to release on June 19, 2025.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Avatar: Fire and Ash is a 2025 science fiction film continuing the saga of Pandora. Jake Sully and Neytiri confront a formidable new enemy, the Ash People, led by Varang. Struggling with personal loss and external threats, they strive to protect their family and Pandora’s future.
