James Cameron continues to expand the Avatar universe. The third film in the series, “Avatar: Fire and Ash”, is drawing attention not only with its story but also with its record-breaking length. Although not yet officially confirmed by 20th Century Studios, the film’s runtime is listed as 3 hours 15 minutes on platforms like IMAX, Cineplex, and AMC Theaters. This makes it the longest in the series, surpassing the 3-hour-12-minute The Way of Water.
Cameron’s cinematic universe is shaped in the shadow of the family bonds shattered at the end of The Way of Water, revenge, and new alliances. Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) fully integrate into the water clan Metkayina after losing their eldest son Neteyam; meanwhile, the resurrected Colonel Quaritch (Stephen Lang) has been spared by his son Spider’s (Jack Champion) mercy but has gone his own way. This time, Pandora’s fire people, the Mangkwan Clan, and their leader Varang (Oona Chaplin) seem to take center stage.
Looking at Cameron’s filmography, this increasing runtime is not surprising. The director has made it a tradition to create longer, deeper versions in nearly every film, from Terminator to Aliens, Titanic to Avatar. In this sense, Fire and Ash is not just a sequel; it will be a visually mesmerizing and narratively ambitious journey into the dark side of Pandora’s mythology.
“Avatar: Fire and Ash” will be released in theaters on December 19, 2025.
