James Cameron is once again showing that with the Avatar series, bigger is definitely better. The director has officially announced that ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash,’ the third movie in the franchise, will be at least three hours long.
Moreover, one of Jake Sully’s most memorable allies from the very first movie, which was released back in 2009, is making a comeback—meet the powerful Toruk!
“He Should Get The Bird”: Cameron Talks About Bringing Back Toruk
This exciting news dropped during a chat with Variety, where Cameron explored both the film’s lengthy runtime and the creative choices surrounding Toruk’s return. The majestic creature, also known as the Great Leonopteryx, had a key role in assisting Jake during the epic final battle in the first Avatar film. However, he was absent in ‘Avatar: The Way of Water‘. Up until now, there was uncertainty about what role, if any, Toruk would play in Fire and Ash.
Note: Cameron has also confirmed additional key characters joining ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ in future installments.
Cameron acknowledged that initially, Toruk was not included in the script for the third film. He had one of those ‘Aha!’ moments where something apparent only hits you partway through the process. “I’ve been waiting for someone to ask, ‘Why doesn’t he just grab the big red bird and take care of everyone like before?’ Because this option simply doesn’t exist in The Way of Water.”
Despite his plan to introduce Toruk in a later sequel, midway through production he had a change of heart. “Here’s a big revelation: I hadn’t included this in Fire and Ash. Then I thought, ‘Of course, he needs to go and find that bird! I originally wanted to save it for later films, but then I said, ‘Forget that! He needs the Toruk!’” This impulsive decision led to necessary rewrites, reshoots, and even the crafting of new scenes focused around Toruk’s return.
Ultimately, they filmed two or three new scenes highlighting that storyline while also trimming down some earlier content to make space for it. The result? A movie runtime reaching the three-hour mark. But Cameron believes every minute is justified. The cast seemed thrilled about having Toruk back, and he mentioned that the alteration felt very fitting for the story. It seamlessly ties Jake Sully’s current journey with his past in a manner that fans will instantly catch on to.
Cameron Initially Reserved Toruk’s Comeback for a Future Film
If you haven’t seen it yet: Discover why the Ash People are d Pandora’s most dangerous clan in ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash.’
“There was something crucial in Jake’s fate that really meant we needed this,” he observed, stressing the importance of this decision and how it felt genuine. Cameron recognized a gap in the narrative and had the faith to address it. “So, I simply rewrote it, we shot two or three scenes based on that idea, deleted some other stuff, and incorporated Toruk back in.” This adaptability is, according to him, part of what keeps the franchise dynamic and alive.
“Nothing is permanently set. It’s an ongoing creative evolution, which is what keeps it exciting and fresh,” Cameron concluded. His enthusiasm for the change wasn’t lonely; he revealed that the cast became energized by this shift, and the anticipation surrounding Toruk’s reappearance hints that it could be a huge emotional and visual highlight in the new film. With two more sequels planned after Fire and Ash, this choice may not only enhance the narrative but also simplify it.
