Will Fans End Up Rooting for Quaritch?
Colonel Miles Quaritch has been the big bad guy in the Avatar movies from the start. In the first film, he led humans in a brutal fight against the Na’vi, showing no mercy. He came back in Avatar: The Way of Water as a Na’vi clone with his old memories, still hunting Jake Sully. Fans hated him for his rage and greed. He hurt anyone in his way, even ignoring the Na’vi’s names to treat them like enemies. For example, he called Jake “Sully” but skipped names like Neytiri’s, focusing his hate on one man. Check out this detail on his dialogue at https://www.cbr.com/avatars-quaritch-detail-hateable/.
Things shifted a bit in The Way of Water. Quaritch had a son, Spider, a human boy raised by Na’vi. This made him seem a touch more human, like a dad trying to connect. Still, he stayed evil, driven by revenge. Now, Avatar: Fire and Ash takes it further. Quaritch teams up with the Ash People, a fierce Na’vi clan led by Varang. These Na’vi love war and fire, living in a smoky, sulfur-filled world. Actor Stephen Lang, who plays Quaritch, says his character fits right in. “He’s in familiar territory,” Lang explained. The smell of conflict feels like home to a soldier like Quaritch. More on Lang’s thoughts at https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/sci-fi-movies/stephen-lang-says-his-avatar-fire-and-ash-character-quaritch-fits-with-the-ash-people-because-hes-in-familiar-territory-with-the-war-hungry-navi/.
Varang, played by Oona Chaplin, changes everything. She leads the Mangkwan clan, also called the Ash People. Quaritch sees her as a kindred spirit, someone who gets war and power. Lang told Digital Spy there’s a “chemical reaction” between them. They respect each other like warriors. It starts as a deal, but grows into something real. Quaritch even offers her guns and tech from the RDA to spread her fire across Pandora. In a new clip, he says she needs an equal, and he can be that. Her eyes light up at the weapons. She replies, “I see you,” a big Na’vi phrase for true understanding. Details on their bond at https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a69805012/avatar-fire-ash-stephen-lang-quaritch-varang-relationship/ and clip breakdown at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1mDP3f-RMY.
Quaritch adapts to Pandora in ways fans never expected. He has Na’vi DNA now, linked to Eywa, the planet’s spirit. Jake even pushes him to open his heart to the world. Their rivalry gets deeper, almost like old foes who respect each other. Lang notes Quaritch admires Jake’s strength, and now Varang too. See how Pandora shifts their dynamic at https://screenrant.com/avatar-fire-and-ash-jake-sully-quartich-relationship-changed-explained/. Lang also shared in an interview how playing Quaritch made him rethink villains. He praises the evolution and working with Chaplin. Watch that at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-P22aw3vhk.
So, could fans start cheering for Quaritch? His hateable traits made him pure villain before. Now, with a son, a warrior romance, and a home among war-loving Na’vi, he looks less like a monster. He fights for survival, adapts, and finds allies who match his fire. Some might see him as the underdog against Jake’s family. Time will tell if Fire and Ash flips the script.
Sources
https://www.cbr.com/avatars-quaritch-detail-hateable/
https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/sci-fi-movies/stephen-lang-says-his-avatar-fire-and-ash-character-quaritch-fits-with-the-ash-people-because-hes-in-familiar-territory-with-the-war-hungry-navi/
https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a69805012/avatar-fire-ash-stephen-lang-quaritch-varang-relationship/
https://screenrant.com/avatar-fire-and-ash-jake-sully-quartich-relationship-changed-explained/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1mDP3f-RMY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-P2
