Stephen Lang believes his character Quaritch in Avatar: Fire and Ash resonates with the Ash People due to his shared affinity for the battle-ready Na’vi.
Colonel Miles Quaritch has had quite the journey. After meeting his end in the first Avatar film, he returns in Avatar: The Way of Water as a recombinant, which means his human memories have been implanted into a Na’vi body—the very species he opposes.
In Avatar: Fire and Ash, we get to see a different side of Quaritch as he becomes involved with the Mangkwan Clan, also known as the Ash People. This fierce group of fire-obsessed Na’vi is led by the formidable Varang, and surprisingly, Quaritch finds a connection with these new allies.
“He must adapt to Pandora, whether he likes it or not. He’s always tried to make Pandora conform to him,” Lang explains during a meeting in London. “When he was head of security at Hell’s Gate, he brought a certain mindset with him. He recognized early on that his role was to keep everyone alive, but he was destined to fail. That dynamic has shifted now.
“While he hasn’t become one with the planet, he does have Eywa’s DNA flowing through him, so he needs to find a way to adapt that aligns with the remnants of Quaritch within him,” he continues. “The Mangkwan represent that adaptation. When he enters their territory, he’s in familiar ground, surrounded by the scent of conflict and war—an environment he understands well.”
Jake Sully, however, believes Quaritch has the potential to connect with Pandora, often urging his rival to embrace the natural world throughout the film.
“There’s definitely been an evolution in their relationship, a deepening and, in some ways, a widening gap,” Lang notes about the complex dynamic between Quaritch and Jake. “Yet, there’s also a sense of mutual dependence that has developed. They are linked by the young boy, Spider, which adds another layer to their relationship. Both being Marines, they share a common mission and vocabulary, but the presence of Spider complicates things. Their dynamic is constantly shifting, and exploring that is one of the joys of making this film.”
Of course, fans can expect Quaritch and Jake to engage in their signature clashes. “There’s a major showdown at the end, a real brawl, and there’s always a fight between Sully and Quaritch in these films,” Lang says with a smile. “Each encounter raises the stakes, and they’re all unique. It’s reminiscent of legendary heavyweight bouts, like those between Muhammad Ali and Tyson. Each fight is intense and distinct, much like the ongoing rivalry between Sully and Quaritch.”
You can catch the epic confrontations between Jake and Quaritch when Avatar: Fire and Ash hits theaters on December 19.
