‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Stars Stephen Lang & Oona Chaplin Talk Bonding Over Volcanoes

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Avatar: Fire and Ash continued the exciting story started in James Cameron’s 2022 film, Avatar: The Way of Water. The third movie in the series was the third highest-grossing film of 2025 globally (after Ne Zha 2 and Zootopia 2), and it further explored the world of Pandora, introducing dangerous new enemies, including threats native to the planet itself. Returning villain Colonel Miles Quaritch (played by Stephen Lang) was joined by Oona Chaplin as Varang, a fierce and cruel sorceress skilled in Pandora’s dark magic.

Varang, a leader from the Na’vi Fire Clan in Ash Village, introduced audiences to a previously unseen and much more unsettling side of Pandora. Her homeland had been destroyed by a volcanic eruption, which led her to connect with fire and incorporate it into her spiritual practices. The filmmakers, Chaplin and Lang, actually had a personal connection to volcanoes that went beyond their roles in the movie.

In a recent interview with MovieWeb, Stephen Lang, who stars in Avatar: Fire and Ash, shared his experience exploring a Hawaiian volcano with his co-star, Oona Chaplin. He described how their time spent in the water and climbing mountains together created a strong bond between them. Lang also discussed his character, Miles Quaritch, noting he’s already a strong leader, but meeting Varang has been a new experience, as her energy and approach are changing how he acts.

Initially, we spent the first three or four days filming in the water for ten hours a day, which was pretty demanding. Honestly, it felt like eight hours too much! It’s important to remember my character, Quaritch, isn’t naturally comfortable in the water. Whenever he’s in the ocean in these Avatar films, he’s usually trying to get back to land. So, when we finally moved to the land location in Hawaii, I was incredibly relieved. Then, while filming as Varang and following Oona during the climbing scenes, I actually started wishing we were back in the water! We did a lot of climbing, which was challenging but ultimately a fantastic experience that really brought us together as a team.

She seemed genuinely happy to take a backseat role. It wasn’t something she sought out, but when she stepped up as a leader, it had a ripple effect. Quaritch doesn’t need to prove his leadership – it’s already established – but her taking charge and him following her lead was a key dynamic. That was a big takeaway from the Hawaii scenes. I also found myself wondering what Varang finds so captivating about her, and I was intrigued to learn he’s drawn to what I’d call her inner ‘fire’ or energy.

The connection between Varang and Quaritch was central to the plot of Fire and Ash, with Varang having a surprisingly strong impact on Quaritch, even more so than anyone else in the previous films. Interestingly, Lang and Chaplin, the actors who played them, bonded over a shared experience climbing a volcano before filming began. This connection helped them create a deeper and more believable relationship on screen, especially as their characters opposed Jake Sully and his family.

Both characters are excited about potentially returning for the next two Avatar films, but it’s still uncertain if those movies will be released on their currently scheduled dates. These sequels promise to showcase even more of Pandora, and introduce new characters – both heroes and villains – who will play a role in the ongoing story.

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2026-04-04 02:02