Although Avatar: The Way of Water’s ending, this simple plot had become far more complex.

Avatar: The Way of Water skipped ahead a generation and introduced Jake and Neytiri’s children, Lo’ak, Neteyam, and Tuk, as well as their adopted daughter Kiri and the family’s human friend, Spider. These characters were central to the story of the sequel, with Avatar: The Way of Water’s ending hinging on Neteyam’s death. The Avatar sequels seemed destined to continue focusing on the younger generation of new characters, but recent comments from series star Zoe Saldaña push back on this idea. Avatar: Fire & Ash may center on Jake and Neytiri, and this could be a mistake.

Avatar: Fire & Ash Seemingly Keeps Jake & Neytiri As Main Characters

Star Zoe Saldaña Discussed The Couple’s Grief Over Losing Neteyam

Saldana told Deadline that, in Avatar: Fire & Ash, “Jake and Neytiri are on this journey of acceptance, of accepting who they are and what they must be for each other and how they’re going to push forward to keep their family safe.” The actor noted that accepting Neteyam’s death and dealing with the aftermath of the event would be central to their storyline in the sequel, which implies that the duo will receive a significant amount of screen time and story focus in the outing. This may not bode well for the franchise as a whole.

Spider’s internal conflict, Kiri’s burgeoning superpowers, and Lo’ak’s struggles should shape the sequel.

Saldana added “I love the fact that in the core of this entire saga is a beautiful love story,” referring to Jake and Neytiri’s bond that was established in the original movie. This reaffirms the idea that the couple’s storyline will be a central focus in Avatar: Fire & Ash, but this should not necessarily be the case. While Avatar: Fire & Ash’s much-hyped Fire Na’vi villains are a compelling promise, it is the stories of the next generation of Jake and Neytiri’s clan that are most exciting. Spider’s internal conflict, Kiri’s burgeoning superpowers, and Lo’ak’s struggles should shape the sequel.

Avatar: Fire & Ash’s Story Should Center Neytiri and Jake's Children Instead

Lo’ak’s Story Was The Way of Water’s Most Engaging Subplot

Lo’ak befriending the outcast Tulkun, Payakan, was the strongest subplot in Avatar: The Way of Water as he ignored his father’s advice and stood up for what he believed in. This led to Payakan wiping out many of the RDA’s forces, proving Lo’ak was right to stand up to his father as this helped save the Metkayina. Similarly, Spider’s struggle to align himself with either his villainous biological father, Quaritch, or the clan that never truly accepted him as their own features some of the sequel’s most compelling drama.

This makes it all the more unfortunate that Avatar: Fire & Ash sounds determined to push Jake and Neytiri back into the forefront of the franchise. Saldana’s character was compelling in Avatar: The Way of Water, and her rage over Neteyam’s death almost costing Spider his life hinted at a dark turn for her character. However, as the Avatar movies risk forgetting about the avatars they originally centered, it is easy to see why Avatar: The Way of Water didn’t focus on Jake. Sam Worthington’s character is the least dynamic figure in the franchise’s lineup.

Avatar: The Way Of Water Changing The Franchise’s Focal Characters Was A Good Thing

Lo’ak, Kiri, and Spider Are The Most Important Characters In Avatar: Fire & Ash

Kiri, Lo’ak, and Spider are all a generation younger than Jake and Neytiri, so they should be the main focus of Avatar: Fire & Ash’s story since they collectively have the most growth potential. Neytiri and Jake mostly existed to get in the way of the younger characters throughout Avatar: The Way of Water, and Kiri’s sequel story holds more promise than another story of Jake trying to balance leading the resistance with protecting his family. This repetitive plot could soon become tiresome and waste valuable screen time.

Jake and Neytiri should play ing roles in Avatar: Fire & Ash and the franchise should delve into their grief over Neteyam’s death during their limited screen time. However, their screen time should be limited, as the sequel should prioritize the next generation of characters. As the Avatar franchise balances its new villains like the Fire Na’vi, its established antagonists like Quaritch and the RDA, and its young heroes, the movies have less time for the franchise’s original stars. Avatar: Fire & Ash must recognize this reality with a smaller role for Jake and Neytiri.

Avatar: Fire and Ash is set to be released on December 19.

Source: Deadline