From Queen of the North to Fire-Wielding Villain, Oona Chaplin’s Reign Continues on Pandora
In an explosive new turn for the Avatar franchise, the first trailer for Avatar: Fire and Ash has arrived, and it’s Oona Chaplin who’s stealing the show. Social media lit up over the weekend as fans clocked the Game of Thrones alum emerging from the shadows of Pandora, wielding fire and menace as Varang, leader of the mysterious Ash People. The film hits theaters December 19, 2025, but online audiences are already obsessed.
Known to many as Talisa Stark from Game of Thrones, Oona Chaplin has returned to genre glory, and fans are making the connection loud and clear. One viral tweet screamed: “YOU’RE TELLING ME VARANG IS OONA CHAPLIN AKA TALISA STARK… I WILL BE WATCHING AVATAR 3”. Another user crowned her online: “Mother is mothering so hard.”Across the board, the internet is ready to kneel.
“Your Goddess Has No Dominion Here”: Meet Varang, the Ash People’s Fire Queen
Chaplin’s new role flips the blue-washed serenity of The Way of Water on its head. The trailer introduces fire, a new, volatile element in James Cameron’s Pandora, and along with it, the Ash People. Unlike the peaceful water-based clans of the previous installment, the Ash People appear fierce, warlike, and aligned with the human villain Colonel Quaritch (Stephen Lang), now reincarnated in Na’vi form. And leading this fire-wielding, goddess-defying clan? Oona Chaplin’s Varang.
With the chilling line “Your goddess has no dominion here,” Varang marks a dramatic tonal shift for the Avatar series. While much of the trailer is sparse on dialogue, her presence is anything but quiet. Fans are already comparing her wrath to her past life as Talisa Stark, tweeting: “Talisa Stark reincarnated as Varang, no wonder she’s so wrathful.”
Twitter Demands Awards… and Worship
In the hours following the trailer’s debut, “Oona Chaplin” began trending across platforms. One user shouted, “ONE MILLION NOMINATIONS FOR OONA CHAPLIN NOW.” Another wrote, “Oona Chaplin you’re going to change lives as Varang!” And the sentiment isn’t just hyperbole. Chaplin’s sharp glare, elemental fury, and commanding energy in just a few seconds of trailer footage have critics and fans alike craving more.
It’s the kind of villain reveal that dominates internet timelines and ignites franchise fever. The Ash People appear to be a tribe born in trauma and war, likely mirroring real-world cycles of violence and revenge. Varang, as their voice and face, seems to be shaping up as Cameron’s boldest antagonist yet.
Fire and Family: What We Know About Avatar: Fire and Ash
Three years after The Way of Water, James Cameron is switching elements. Fire is the newest threat, and it’s personal. The Sully family, Jake (Sam Worthington), Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña), and their children, are now up against a force unlike any they’ve faced before. As Variety confirmed, the Ash People have joined forces with Quaritch, reigniting the franchise’s colonialist conflict with a fiery twist.
The returning cast includes Sigourney Weaver, Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, and Edie Falco. New additions include Michelle Yeoh and David Thewlis, suggesting that Avatar is about to get a lot more international and a lot more elite. But the conversation right now revolves around one person: Oona Chaplin.
This third film is just one piece of a much larger plan. Cameron has at least two more sequels in development, with speculation mounting that future installments may explore Pandora’s remaining elements: Earth and Air. If The Way of Water was about healing and family, Fire and Ash appears to be about rage and rebellion.
Cinematic Spectacle, Elemental Warfare
The trailer debuted in theaters alongside The Fantastic Four: First Steps, with audiences stunned by the visual evolution. While Cameron is once again deploying his signature blend of IMAX 3D, Dolby, and RealD spectacle, it’s the mood that’s different. Fire doesn’t just represent a new aesthetic; it represents a new ideology. And in Varang, it has a ferocious voice.
Chaplin’s casting proves inspired. As the granddaughter of Charlie Chaplin and daughter of actor Geraldine Chaplin, Oona’s theatrical pedigree runs deep. Her performance as Talisa in Game of Thrones may have ended in tragedy, but her rise in Avatar looks positively volcanic.
What’s Next for Varang and Pandora?
While plot details remain scarce, the screenplay is credited to James Cameron, Rick Jaffa, and Amanda Silver, with a story by Cameron, Jaffa, Silver, Josh Friedman, and Shane Salerno. The Ash People’s full backstory, their philosophy, and how they mastered fire are all still under wraps. But if the early reception to Chaplin’s Varang is any indicator, this won’t be the last time we hear “Mother is mothering” shouted from the rooftops.
Avatar: Fire and Ash releases exclusively in IMAX 3D and premium formats worldwide on December 19, 2025. And yes, Twitter will be seated.
