James Cameron and the cast of "Avatar: Fire and Ash" explain the journey of the Wind Traders (exclusive)

James Cameron shared that the creators of the Avatar films always develop a world far beyond what appears on screen. A notable example is the Wind Traders, a clan featured in Avatar: Fire and Ash, hitting theaters on December 19. Though not central to the third movies main storyline, this airborne Navi group leaves a distinct impression.

For Entertainment Weeklys video series It Takes a Village, Cameron and key cast members, along with department heads, dissect a memorable scene: the Wind Traders setting out on their voyage. David Thewlis plays Peylak, the clans leader, who guides these nomadic traders as they transport goods across Pandora using a flying caravan. Their floating galleon is powered by a Wind Ray inspired by cuttlefish and manta rays.

Cameron described their ship as the largest performance-capture set weve ever constructed, filling the entire sound stage. Visual effects supervisor Richard Baneham, costume designer Deborah L. Scott, and production designer Dylan Cole detailed the clans unique traits, from their vibrant costumes to their tightly wrapped hair braids. While the film doesnt explicitly delve into Wind Trader culture, much is conveyed through these visual details.

Actors Sam Worthington (Jake), Zoe Saldaa (Neytiri), Sigourney Weaver (Kiri), and Jack Champion (Spider) discussed the scene. Worthington noted that Thewlis was thrown straight into the deep end and needed time to grasp the complex filming techniques.

Avatar: Fire and Ash continues the story following the events of 2022s Avatar: The Way of Water. The Sully family is still grieving the loss of their son Neteyam (Jamie Flatters), and subtle touches, such as Neytiris funeral paint, are visible in the Wind Traders sequence.

As the conflict between the Navi and human RDA colonizers escalates, the family encounters the Ash People, a volcanic Navi clan led by Varang (Oona Chaplin). The film teases a battle involving the Wind Traders and the Ash People. The full breakdown of this scene is available in the accompanying video.

Author: Ethan Caldwell