With Avatar: The Way of Water currently showering box offices worldwide in ticket sales and officially a commercial success, updates about the upcoming third film continue to flood in. According to a report from SlashFilm, the highly anticipated Avatar 3 will feature yet another new region inhabited by a different Na'vi tribe, known as the 'Ash People.' Per director James Cameron's pledge to encompass four main elements within the Avatar franchise, whereas the second film heavily symbolizes the element of water, the third film will apparently gravitate towards fire.

Unlike the other Na'vi tribes, Cameron has disclosed that the Ash People will present themselves as far less friendly and likely the role of a villain. However, rather than continue the same formula of evil invading from outside Pandora, Cameron wants to flip those roles and reveal the turmoil within the alien planet. Per what he said recently to a French newscast:

"I want to reveal the Na'vi from another angle because [so far] I have only shown their good sides. In the early films, there are very negative human examples and very positive Na'vi examples. In 'Avatar 3,' we'll do the reverse."

Related: How the Ending of Avatar: The Way of Water Sets up Avatar 3

Cameron's Plan to Explore the Universe and Then Ultimately Bring the Story Back to Earth

Avatar: The Way of Water
20th Century Studios

Along with the ever-expanding world of Pandora and its various tribes that each add to the overall story, Cameron has his sights set on traversing beyond Pandora to other planets in the third film. Further on in the interview, he notes how Pandora serves essentially as the foundation for Avatar's narrative and that the story will truly take shape and gain pace starting in the third film.

"We will also explore new worlds, while continuing the story of the main characters...I can say that the last parts will be the best. The others were an introduction, a way to set the table before serving the meal. But, obviously, everything will depend on how Avatar 2 is received, if it finds its audience."

With the real prospect of Avatar expanding into a literal universe, Cameron is now setting the standard for the franchise to become far more than a single-string storyline. It will undoubtedly lead to the discovery of at least several more new tribes of Na'vi and perhaps even another new alien race. The possibilities remain vast and unknown in Cameron's universe. Beyond these many questions, we do know that he wants to bring the story full circle back to Earth by the fifth film, should the franchise continue to be profitable.

Avatar 3, which has finished filming but likely has a lengthy post-production process ahead, is currently set to release in theaters on December 20, 2024. Avatar: The Way of Water is now playing in theaters.