Avatar: Fire and Ash gets a new image, revealing a first look at David Thewlis’ Na’vi character. After the mᴀssive sucesss of Avatar: The Way of Water in 2022, James Cameron’s hit sci-fi franchise is set to return later this year with its third installment. Avatar: Fire and Ash‘s story will pick up after The Way of Water‘s ending with a grieving Sully family coming into contact with two new Na’vi clans, the Ash People and the Wind Traders, with the former set to play a villainous role. Where Thewlis fit into the story, however, has remained a mystery.

Empire now shares a new look at Avatar: Fire and Ash, revealing more about Thewlis’ character, Peylak. Peylak serves as the chief of the new Wind Trader clan, also known as the Tlalim, and the first image of him suggests he has quite a bold fashion sense. He’s shown in the concept art with a bright orange robe and a unique braided hairstyle that hasn’t yet appeared in an Avatar film. He also features a more traditional blue skin color instead of the teal of the Metkayina clan. Check out the Peylak concept art below:

Avatar: Fire and Ash costume designer Deborah L. Scott also shares more about the Wind Traders, teasing that they’re very different from the more villainous Ash Clan. According to Scott, audiences can expect the Wind Traders to be far more joyful, and Thewlis really shines in his role:

“They’re upbeat, happy, colourful. And when they come into our movie, everyone’s excited to see them. It’s like the circus is in town.”

“Originally [Peylak’s] cloak was a little more rugged, a little more rustic. But as all the clans developed, Jim [Cameron] said, ‘I just don’t think it’s grand enough.’ So I went back and reinvented it. The way [Thewlis] carries himself, he’s got great posture. He’s absolutely stunning in the movie.”

What Peylak’s Introduction Means For Avatar 3

Fire & Ash Will Complicate A Key Na’vi Dynamic

The cast for the 2022 Avatar sequel introduced a number of new characters as Cameron explored new regions of Pandora, and the third film will be no different. Thewlis and Oona Chaplin are the two key additions to the Avatar: Fire and Ash cast, and it’s now clear that the two may not be friendly. Though Peylak sounds like he will be a far more amicable Na’vi, Chaplin is playing Varang, the leader of the Ash Clan.

Cameron has previously teased that the Ash People will complicate the “good Na’vi versus evil humans” dynamic of the first two films, with Varang willing to go to great lengths to protect her people. The Wind Traders, on the other hand, are a nomadic people who travel pandora akin to the “camel caravans of the Spice Road back in the Middle Ages,” said Cameron to Empire previously. The Wind Traders are also confirmed to use mᴀssive flying airship creatures to travel, far larger than any ikran.

Our Take On Peylak In Avatar: Fire & Ash

David Thewlis’ Character Will Help Keep One Franchise Tradition Alive

Many questions remain about exactly how Peylak will fit into the story of the next film but, given just how devastating the Avatar: The Way of Water ending was with the death of a key Sully family member, Thewlis’ new character could prevent things from getting too dark. An important element of the franchise thus far has been giving audiences space to enjoy the beauty of Pandora and all its flora and fauna, and it sounds like Peylak could play an important role in this regard.

With the Avatar: Fire and Ash release date still about 10 months away, a trailer is probably still a few months off. From the looks of things, though, the next film in Cameron’s epic saga will be an exciting mix of old and new, pushing the franchise in some interesting new directions. From his looks alone, Peylak will be a fun addition to Avatar: Fire and Ash, and a reinforcement of just how magical Pandora and its inhabitants can be.

Source: Empire