Jake Sully’s evolution gets fresh details from director James Cameron and star Sam Worthington ahead of Avatar: Fire & Ash’s release. Worthington has been the face of the Avatar franchise so far, having maintained his role as Jake Sully since 2009’s original movie. As a result, there is no one who knows the character better than him and franchise creator, James Cameron.
In an interview with Empire, Cameron and Worthington described the Sully family dynamic in Avatar: Fire & Ash, with Cameron saying, “Everybody in this movie is reacting from a place of trauma.” This is, of course, a reference to the Sully family dealing with the fallout of Neteyam’s death in Avatar: The Way of Water.
Dealing with the eldest son’s death in the second installment was always going to be a part of the Sully family’s story. However, Worthington explains how this affects Jake in Avatar: Fire & Ash especially, transforming his character once more. He states that “he goes back to the world that he knows, which is soldiering.” Check out the full quote below:
The peacemaker that Jake was in 2 has changed, because he’s grieving. He doesn’t know how to go forward, and so he goes back to the world that he knows, which is soldiering. To attack, to go to war, that’s a comforting place for Jake.
What This Means For Jake Sully In Avatar: Fire & Ash
The Sully Family Will Be Dealing With Some Hardships
Neytiri actor Zoe Saldaña teased the family’s grief in Avatar: Fire & Ash, stating that the death of Neteyam “was unimaginably painful for the Sully family.” As a result, the movie will likely see them struggle to stay united. Worthington supports this, saying that Jake and Neytiri “split,” as “Jake heads back to battle and Neytiri kind of closes down.”
Avatar: Fire & Ash’s recent trailer showcased this split, with Jake shouting at Neytiri that she needs to let go of her hate. This shows how grieving their son will likely be a driving force in their separation, as well as in fueling Neytiri’s revenge. Therefore, it will be interesting to see how Jake holds his family together while going back to “soldiering.”
Our Take On Jake Sully’s Avatar: Fire & Ash Evolution
Jake’s Character Evolution Is Similar To The First Film
In 2009’s Avatar, Jake was, first and foremost, a soldier. He wasn’t supposed to be a part of the Avatar program, and reluctantly fell into the role after his twin brother died. As a result, Worthington’s character was going through the motions as a soldier, until he met Neytiri, gained an understanding, and became a part of the People.
The Way of Water presented a “peacemaker” side to Jake as he settled into family life, moving away from his past. However, with Worthington proclaiming Jake “goes back to war,” as a grieving leader, some have suggested this arc may lead to his death. That being said, Jake Sully’s death in Avatar 3 would be rather predictable, especially after Neteyam.
Jake Sully cannot be a soldier, and he cannot be a peacemaker, so he must become something else.
Instead, Jake may become a reflection of his original self, but without undoing his character development from The Way of Water. Jake Sully cannot be a soldier, and he cannot be a peacemaker, so he must become something else. This could be really cool, introducing a new side to the character, alongside the other new elements in Avatar: Fire & Ash.
Sources: Empire
