Avatar: Fire And Ash’s Varang Actress Explains Why She Had ‘A Lot Of Sleepless Nights’ After Filming That Spicy Tent Scene

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The popular new movie, Avatar: Fire and Ash, features several new characters, and Varang quickly stands out. As the leader of the Mangkwan clan, known as the “Ash People,” she’s a powerful figure who both unleashes destruction and carries the weight of her tribe’s past. Oona Chaplin delivers a captivating performance as Varang, particularly shining in a memorable tent scene – a scene that actually made her feel a little nervous after filming it.

Following the positive reception of Fire and Ash, a scene between Varang and Miles Quaritch quickly became popular online. The moment occurs after Quaritch proposes an alliance with Varang’s people in Mangkawn territory. Varang leads him into her tent and assesses him by exposing him to a hallucinogenic substance and then sensually cutting his skin with a knife. This intense encounter not only establishes their alliance but also ignites a romantic connection between them.

Oona Chaplin loves playing her character in Avatar, and her excitement was clear during a recent interview on The On Film…With Kevin McCarthy Podcast. She told McCarthy about the first time she saw her Na’vi character fully brought to life – it was during the tent scene – and described what it was like to film. She also explained how seeing the finished scene left her feeling unsettled and struggling to sleep.

We didn’t film that scene very often, and it felt rushed. It was a really important moment for Varang’s character – it explained her entire backstory and was meant to make the audience feel sympathy for her, rather than seeing her as a simple villain. I was very invested in getting it right, and I worried about it for days after we finished shooting, unsure if we’d captured what it needed to.

It seems Charlie Chaplin was worried about how the scene came across – which is interesting to see in 3D – and I can relate to that. Although the scene in the tent is definitely playful and a little suggestive, it also reveals Varang’s inner pain and perspective. As Chaplin pointed out, this part of the film is what prevents her character from being simply a villain. She then explained how she dealt with her own doubts about the scene.

I decided I would talk to Jim and ask if we could redo a specific scene. I planned to just say, ‘Can we try that one again?’ But I never actually got around to it. We finished filming, and I realized I’d missed my chance. Luckily, we’re planning reshoots, so I’ll have another opportunity then to ask him to do it again.

Oona Chaplin wasn’t prepared for what followed. She remembered feeling relieved by a positive experience she had with James Cameron, who strongly defended keeping a particular scene in the film.

We did a reshoot, and I asked Jim to redo his part. After we finished, he was incredibly excited and asked me to come with him. He’d never acted like that before – he was like a kid! He took me to the studio cinema and we put on 3D glasses. He showed me the scene, which was the first one he’d fully rendered with all the CGI. When it was over, he looked at me, eager to know what I thought. I was amazed – it worked perfectly!

The scene is truly effective, and Oona Chaplin delivers a powerfully moving performance. Although it’s uncertain whether James Cameron will create Avatar 4 and 5, Chaplin has expressed her desire to continue exploring her character’s story. I’m definitely hoping to see this exciting character again in a future film. You can currently see Fire and Ash in theaters, and the first two Avatar movies are available to stream on Disney+.

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2026-01-25 00:13