Guillermo del Toro Praises Avatar: Fire and Ash

The legendary director Guillermo del Toro just dropped a bombshell, calling the upcoming Avatar: Fire and Ash a "masterpiece" and teasing big surprises. Get ready, Pandora fans!

TL;DR: Quick Takes for Busy Fans

Guillermo del Toro praises Avatar: Fire and Ash, declaring all three films "absolute masterpieces" after seeing them.
He likens James Cameron to mythmakers like George Lucas and Frank Baum, teasing unexpected turns in the saga.
Avatar: Fire and Ash arrives on December 19, 2025, introducing the fiery Ash People and deepening Pandora's lore.

Imagine sitting down with one of cinema's most imaginative minds, Guillermo Del Toro, and hearing his unfiltered thoughts on the highly anticipated Avatar: Fire and Ash. What do you think he'd say? Would it be a cautious nod, or perhaps a hint of something visually stunning? Well, prepare to have your expectations upended, because del Toro just didn't hold back. He's seen the film, and his verdict is, in a word, electrifying: "absolute masterpieces."

Guillermo del Toro Gives a Glowing Endorsement for the Next Avatar Chapter

Speaking to Konbini in a recent interview, the acclaimed director behind films like Pan's Labyrinth and the recent Frankenstein (which just dropped on Netflix November 7), didn't just give a casual thumbs-up. He lauded James Cameron as a "master mythmaker," putting him in the same league as storytelling giants like George Lucas of Star Wars fame and Frank Baum, the creator of The Wizard of Oz. This isn't praise del Toro hands out lightly, making his words carry significant weight for fans and critics alike.

A Maestro's High Praise for Pandora

"I've seen the three Avatars. They are absolute masterpieces. I know where it's going, and I think it's going to surprise a lot of people... I can't say anything about [the third] but I can say there are very few Americans that have created a full mythology. You have [George] Lucas. You have the whole Wizard of Oz mythology with Frank Baum. Jim is creating that with Avatar, and he's going to take you places."

— Guillermo del Toro, via Konbini Video Club (Source: No Film School, "Guillermo Del Toro Calls All Avatar Films 'Masterpieces' — Here's Why", November 10, 2025)

Diving Deeper into the Lore: What We Know About Avatar: Fire and Ash's Plot

So, what exactly is Avatar: Fire and Ash bringing to the table that's earning such high praise? Set for release on December 19, 2025, this third installment is diving even deeper into Pandora's rich, vibrant (and sometimes dangerous) world. We'll follow Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), and their growing family as they encounter a brand-new, formidable tribe: the Ash People.

These aren't your typical forest-dwelling Na'vi. Hints suggest a darker, deadlier turn for the franchise, as the Ash People are described as aggressive and led by a warrior named Varang. To complicate matters further, Varang reportedly teams up with none other than Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang), Jake and Neytiri's long-time human adversary. Talk about an alliance no one saw coming!

The Visionary Behind Pandora: James Cameron's Mythmaking Prowess

Del Toro's excitement isn't just about pretty pictures; it’s about Cameron’s ability to build a truly immersive, expansive mythology. He's seen what's coming, a vision Cameron has apparently been "dreaming about" since the 1990s (Source: MovieWeb, "Guillermo Del Toro Calls All Avatar Films 'Masterpieces'", November 19, 2025). This speaks to a long-term plan, not just a series of standalone blockbusters. Cameron is clearly thinking many moves ahead, crafting a universe that could rival the scope of Star Wars or The Wizard of Oz.

The stakes are incredibly high for Fire and Ash. Its reception will reportedly play a significant role in determining the future of the entire Avatar saga, which already has two more films (Avatar 4 and Avatar 5) penciled in for 2029 and 2031 respectively. This kind of long-term commitment shows confidence in the storytelling and world-building that del Toro so admires.

The Unlikely Bond: A Mini-Story of Friendship and Artistic Support

What makes del Toro's endorsement even more compelling is the deep, decades-long friendship he shares with James Cameron. "Jim is my brother," del Toro once said, recounting their meeting around 1991 or 1992 (Source: The New Indian Express, "Guillermo Del Toro talks about 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' and calls it a masterpiece", November 10, 2025). They even lived together for a time, sharing a passion for anime — Cameron introduced del Toro to Patlabor, and del Toro reciprocated with Battle Angel Alita, a manga Cameron would famously later produce a film adaptation of.

This bond goes beyond shared cinematic interests. In a truly remarkable, real-world example of their brotherhood, Cameron was instrumental during the kidnapping of del Toro's father in Mexico in 1997. Cameron not only hired a negotiator, paying a quarter of a million dollars, but even offered to fly the ransom money himself with US Marines! "Jim likes adventure," del Toro quipped, contrasting it with his own preference for "the burger stand." This isn't just a professional endorsement; it’s praise from a trusted friend who knows Cameron's vision and dedication inside out.

Addressing Counterpoints: The Subjectivity of Masterpieces and Franchise Longevity

Of course, calling all three Avatar films "masterpieces" is a strong, subjective statement, and not everyone will agree. The first Avatar garnered immense praise for its visual spectacle but faced some criticism for its perceived narrative simplicity. The Way of Water continued the visual marvels but still left some divided on its storytelling depth. So, while del Toro's words are exciting, individual mileage may vary, and taste will always play a role in how a film is received.

Another limitation or challenge for the Avatar franchise is sustaining audience interest over such a long release schedule, with gaps of several years between installments. However, Cameron and his team are clearly banking on the immersive world-building and evolving narrative to keep viewers engaged, much like other long-running fantasy sagas. To help bridge these gaps and deepen fan engagement, the documentary Of Fire and Water: Making the Avatar Films, released on Disney+ November 7, aims to further connect fans to the creative process, offering a glimpse behind Pandora's magic.

Anticipating the Epic: What to Expect from Avatar: Fire and Ash

With a confirmed runtime of 195 minutes (that's 3 hours and 15 minutes!) (Source: MovieWeb, "Avatar: Fire and Ash is set for release...", November 19, 2025), Avatar: Fire and Ash is set to be another epic journey. It will not only further expand the world of Pandora but also introduce complex new characters and conflicts, challenging Jake and Neytiri in ways we haven't seen before. Del Toro's hints of "unexpected alliances" and shifts in tone suggest Cameron isn't afraid to push boundaries within his own creation.

Key Cast Members Returning to Pandora

Sam Worthington as Jake Sully
Zoe Saldana as Neytiri
Sigourney Weaver as Kiri
Stephen Lang as Colonel Miles Quaritch
Also featuring Oona Chaplin, Cliff Curtis, and Joel David Moore

Practical Takeaways for Fans of the Avatar Universe

Brace for the Unexpected: Del Toro's high praise and hints suggest Fire and Ash will push the Avatar saga in surprising new narrative and thematic directions.
Witness Mythology in Motion: Get ready for even deeper lore and world-building, as James Cameron continues to expand his epic, meticulously crafted universe.
Plan Your Watch: Clear your schedule for December 19, 2025, for a lengthy cinematic experience. This film is a confirmed 195 minutes long!
Catch Up on the Creative Process: If you haven't seen it, check out the Of Fire and Water: Making the Avatar Films documentary, now streaming on Disney+, for behind-the-scenes insights.
Explore More Masterful Filmmaking: If del Toro's endorsement has you craving more, his newest film, Frankenstein, is also streaming on Netflix as of November 7.

Frequently Asked Questions About Avatar: Fire and Ash

When does Avatar: Fire and Ash release? Avatar: Fire and Ash is scheduled to hit theaters globally on December 19, 2025.

What new elements can we expect in Avatar 3? The film introduces a new Na'vi tribe called the Ash People, who are described as aggressive and will be allied with Colonel Quaritch. Director Guillermo del Toro also hints at "unexpected alliances" and shifts in the saga's tone, suggesting a departure from previous installments.

How long is Avatar: Fire and Ash? The film has a confirmed runtime of 195 minutes, which translates to 3 hours and 15 minutes, making it another epic cinematic journey.

Where can I learn more about the making of the Avatar films? The documentary Of Fire and Water: Making the Avatar Films is available to stream on Disney+, offering an in-depth look into the creative process and behind-the-scenes footage.

Sources

Konbini, "Guillermo del Toro gives a surprising opinion on the Avatar sequel, and it might surprise more than one person", Quentin Couprie, November 15, 2025.
MovieWeb, "Guillermo Del Toro Calls All Avatar Films 'Masterpieces'", November 19, 2025.
The New Indian Express, "Guillermo Del Toro talks about 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' and calls it a masterpiece", November 10, 2025.
No Film School, "Guillermo Del Toro Calls All Avatar Films 'Masterpieces' — Here's Why", Jason Hellerman, November 10, 2025.
Evolve Media, "Guillermo del Toro Has Seen Avatar 3, Gives Reaction", Apoorv Rastogi, November 10, 2025.
Yahoo News, "Guillermo del Toro Has Seen Avatar 3 and Has Huge Praise For James Cameron's Sequel", November 10, 2025.
GeekTyrant, "Guillermo del Toro Has Seen AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH and Says It's Going to 'Surprise a Lot of People'", Joey Paur, (Article dated ~Nov 10-15, 2025).