Jake Sully is not being removed from the Avatar story, but his narrative prominence and point of view are shifting in the new film Fire and Ash. According to reports and director James Cameron’s statements, Jake remains a central character and his family’s fate drives much of the plot, yet the film does not use Jake as the primary narrator as previous films did[1].
Essential context and supporting details
– Narration and perspective change: James Cameron revealed that Fire and Ash will not be narrated by Jake Sully, which marks a clear change from the earlier films where Jake’s perspective anchored the story[1].
– Jake’s role remains important: Coverage indicates the movie continues the story of Jake, Neytiri, and their children, and that the Sully family and the new threat of the Ash people are central to the plot[1].
– Creative reasons for the change: Commentators and Cameron suggest the shift in narrator allows fresh dramatic focus — the film highlights other characters (for example Lo’ak in previous coverage of the franchise) whose arcs can illuminate different themes and generational tensions within the Sully family[1][2].
– Script and character adjustments: Reporting on the production notes and rewrites indicates Cameron adjusted Jake’s positions on certain issues, including his stance on weapons and the Na’vi ways, which signals deliberate character evolution rather than erasure[3].
What this means for viewers
– Expect Jake to be present and consequential rather than sidelined: The story is built around his family and legacy, so while we may not hear events through Jake’s internal narration, his decisions and history continue to shape events on-screen[1][2].
– A chance to spotlight other characters: Removing Jake as the narrator opens narrative space for other perspectives and character development, especially from younger Sully family members or newly introduced clans[1].
– Character development over disappearance: The changes reported — narrational shift and script rewrites affecting Jake’s views — point to evolution of the character and world rather than being phased out completely[3].
Sources
https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/avatar-fire-and-ash-isnt-being-narrated-by-jake-james-cameron-explanation
https://www.threeifbyspace.net/2025/12/review-avatar-fire-and-ash-a-visually-stunning-story-with-heart/
https://screenrant.com/avatar-fire-and-ash-jake-sully-weapons-script-changes-james-cameron/
