Who plays Varang in Avatar: Fire and Ash? Meet the “genius” star behind Avatar 3’s best character

Okay, so Avatar: Fire and Ash didn’t quite hit the same high notes as the first two movies for everyone, but honestly, all the reviews seem to agree on one thing: Oona Chaplin absolutely kills it as Varang. She plays the leader of this new Na’vi clan, the Ash People, and she’s totally different from any character we’ve seen in the Avatar universe so far. Seriously, she’s a standout!

Many people admire Chaplin’s talent, not just critics. Actor Stephen Lang, in an interview with Digital Spy, praised her as a truly exceptional performer. He noted her strong training combined with a natural ability to improvise and be present in the moment, adding that she comes from a family with a rich acting history – she’s Charlie Chaplin’s granddaughter.

You might not recognize Oona Chaplin as a giant blue alien in Avatar: Fire and Ash, but she’s previously appeared in popular shows like Game of Thrones (as Talisa, Robb Stark’s wife) and The Hour (playing Marnie Madden). Digital Spy recently spoke with Chaplin to learn about her experience working on Avatar: Fire and Ash.

She “kind of forgot” she was auditioning for James Cameron

The audition went smoothly, as much as possible when working with James Cameron. He was very energetic, involved, and had a playful, curious attitude during my audition.

Walking into the audition, I was incredibly nervous to meet someone I really admired. But after just a few minutes, I relaxed and started focusing on the task at hand. I got so caught up in what we were doing that I almost forgot who he was!

She had to wait 8 years for her Avatar debut

There were times over the last eight years when I wondered if everything had just been a dream, if it really happened. But I also felt deeply satisfied and proud of what we accomplished.

I felt incredibly satisfied, both as an artist and as a person, by the year and a half we spent making the film. I thought that experience alone would be a huge achievement. But now that I’ve seen the finished product, I’m amazed – it’s even better than I imagined!

The thing she ‘won’t do again’ which got her into Varang’s mindset

Her grief, loss, and the underlying anger fueled every moment of the character’s journey. I focused on making those emotions palpable, and on showcasing her incredible strength – not just in surviving a terrible situation, but in finding a strange way to flourish despite it.

I used to cover the inside of my trailer with disturbing pictures of burn victims, fires, and volcanoes. I probably won’t do that again, but it helped me tap into my anger towards the world, which was important when I first started the job.

I felt a lot of confusion and anger witnessing the injustices around me, and I connected with that feeling. Surprisingly, through my experiences with Varang, I found a sense of peace – something I didn’t expect to happen.

What she found ‘liberating’ about motion-capture filming

Filmmaking always involves letting go of certain things – it’s just part of the process. What’s unique about this approach is it frees the actor from worrying about technical details like the camera or lighting. It creates a feeling of continuous rehearsal, allowing them to fully focus on the scene.

Our imaginations are incredibly powerful, and we often find ourselves dwelling on negative thoughts that influence how we live. It felt amazing to take control of my own imagination and use it to build something positive instead.

Working on set was surprisingly easy. Everyone involved – incredibly talented artists – was completely dedicated and passionate about their work, which made it easy to lose yourself in the moment and forget everything else.

What she wants fans to take from Avatar: Fire and Ash

This movie really sparked my compassion. Seeing the complexities of characters like Varang and Quaritch showed me that people aren’t simply good or bad, and it’s easy to misjudge them with a simplistic view.

Honestly, this movie really got me thinking. It dives deep into some heavy stuff – grief, loss, anger, and how people who are hurting often end up hurting others. It feels super relevant to what’s going on in the world right now. What really stuck with me is how dangerous it is to always play the victim. It’s like, yeah, it’s easy to blame others, but you gotta look at yourself too – usually, the problem starts with you. It’s a tough message, but a really important one.

This film has the power to bring us together with more empathy. It reminds us that despite our differences – our varied opinions and perspectives – there’s a shared goodness within us all, and this film allows us to connect with that common humanity.

Avatar: Fire and Ash is out now in cinemas.

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2025-12-19 15:20