Avatar 3’s Oona Chaplin Reveals Her 3 Surprising Influences (And One Is From a Forgotten Netflix Movie)

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A great story needs a strong villain, and the Avatar movies have always delivered. While Miles Quaritch was a memorable antagonist in the first two films, the new movie, Avatar: Fire and Ash, introduces a fresh threat: Varang. This is the first time the franchise will feature a villain who is actually one of the Na’vi people. Director James Cameron hopes Varang will add a new layer to the Avatar story, offering a different perspective. Actress Oona Chaplin, who plays Varang, has been heavily featured in the movie’s promotion, hinting at a villain who is both frightening and complex. Learning about the inspirations behind her performance makes the character even more anticipated.

While promoting her new release, Fire and Ash, actress Chaplin shared where she drew inspiration for her portrayal of Varang. She explained that she closely observed director Jim Cameron, noting his ability to command attention and action simply through his words. Chaplin realized that Cameron’s power didn’t come from being demanding, but from the sincerity and consistency of his thoughts, words, and actions – which she identified as true power. She jokingly added that Cameron is much more pleasant than her character, Varang.

I also drew inspiration from Idris Elba’s character in Beasts of No Nation. He leads a unique army with strong beliefs and a bit of a dark side, and I wanted to explore that. I also looked closely at Zoe Saldaña, specifically her portrayal of Neytiri, because I saw similarities between those characters and Varang. I studied her movements and how she conveyed emotion, and I considered how to portray a character who’s emotionally shut down. All of that really helped me shape the role.

Varang Is the Character the Avatar Franchise Needs Right Now

While Avatar is best known for its stunning visuals, the films also boast characters that make the stories engaging. However, the original movies fell into predictable patterns, a fact director James Cameron recognized. He wanted to move beyond the simple ‘Na’vi versus humans’ conflict. This is where the character of Varang is crucial. She offers a fresh take on familiar themes, which is essential for keeping a long-running series interesting.

It’s interesting to consider who inspired Chaplin, and the comparison between the character Varang and Neytiri suggests a compelling storyline for the upcoming film, Fire and Ash. Neytiri is still deeply grieving the loss of her son, and Saldaña has indicated that she and Jake will face tough choices about their future. The trailers hint at some conflict between them, and Varang might represent the potential for Neytiri to succumb to darkness if she shuts herself off emotionally while navigating these challenges.

James Cameron is known for creating unforgettable villains in his big-budget films, and it seems Varang could be his next one. It’s good to hear she won’t be a simple, purely evil character. According to recent comments, Varang is a complex character with motivations people can understand, even if her actions are questionable. She’s a powerful and determined leader who her people admire and follow, especially after a devastating event. However, she’s also expected to be a formidable opponent, offering a fresh take on the Na’vi. This kind of strong storytelling is crucial for Avatar right now. While the visuals are still stunning, as early reactions suggest, they won’t keep audiences engaged forever. Cameron needs compelling characters and storylines to keep fans invested in the franchise.

Whether Varang will be back in Avatar 4 is still up in the air. James Cameron isn’t even certain when he’ll start working on the next film, as the story only has one unresolved plot point after Fire and Ash. Fans are hoping Varang returns, as the character has a lot of promise and it would be disappointing if she only appeared once. Like Quaritch, who seemingly died in the first Avatar but returned in The Way of Water with a more developed story, Varang deserves a chance to grow over several films and become a richer part of the Avatar universe.

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2025-12-04 20:10