James Cameron did film parts of Avatar 3, officially titled Avatar: Fire and Ash, in New Zealand, but there is no direct confirmation that these scenes were specifically shot in New Zealand volcanoes. The production of Avatar 3, along with Avatar: The Way of Water (Avatar 2), involved extensive filming in New Zealand, where live-action shooting took place for several months. Filming began simultaneously for both sequels in 2017 and continued through to late 2020, with a significant portion of the work happening in New Zealand after initial shoots in California[1][3].
New Zealand was chosen as a primary filming location due to its diverse and dramatic natural landscapes, which can convincingly represent the alien world of Pandora. The country’s varied terrain includes volcanic areas, forests, mountains, and coastlines, making it an ideal stand-in for the exotic environments depicted in the Avatar series. However, while the films feature new Na’vi tribes such as the Mangkwan or “Fire People,” who are associated with volcanic and fiery elements, the actual filming locations have not been explicitly described as volcanoes. Instead, the volcanic theme is more a part of the story and visual design rather than a confirmed filming site[2].
The production faced challenges, including a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but resumed in New Zealand with strict health protocols. James Cameron and key crew members were granted special entry to continue filming, making these sequels among the first major Hollywood productions to restart after pandemic-related shutdowns[1].
In terms of the narrative, Avatar 3 introduces new environments and tribes that are more closely connected to fire and volcanic activity, which suggests that the film’s visual effects and set designs will heavily feature volcanic landscapes. This aligns with Cameron’s intention to explore different aspects of the Na’vi culture and Pandora’s ecosystem, showing a more complex and sometimes darker side of the alien world[2].
In summary, while James Cameron filmed Avatar 3 extensively in New Zealand, and the film’s story involves volcanic themes and tribes, there is no explicit evidence that actual volcanoes in New Zealand were used as filming locations. The volcanic elements are primarily part of the film’s fictional world-building and visual effects rather than confirmed real-world shooting sites.
