Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Avatar: Fire & Ash
Avatar: Fire & Ash successfully justifies the return of Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang). After his death in the first Avatar movie and his resurrection in The Way of Water, the third film demonstrates his significant value as one of the franchise’s most compelling characters.
Following their intense confrontation in 2023’s The Way of Water, Fire & Ash effectively recontextualizes Quaritch as a dark mirror of Jake Sully (Sam Worthington). This raises the question of whether Miles Quaritch’s return in future Avatar films would be equally valuable.
How Col. Quaritch Earned His Return In Avatar: Fire & Ash
Quaritch’s survival after The Way of Water, having already been resurrected from the first Avatar movie, could have felt cheap and repetitive. However, Fire & Ash makes Quaritch’s return worthwhile by providing depth and dimension previously unseen from the RDA colonel.
The core of Quaritch’s significant transformation in Fire & Ash arises from his decision to ally the RDA with the Na’vi clan known as The Ash People, a group of violent raiders who have rejected Eywa. Additionally, Quaritch’s romantic connection with the Ash People’s tsahik Varang (Oona Chaplin) becomes pivotal.
This leads Quaritch to increasingly adopt Na’vi traits, integrating himself further into the Ash People’s culture. The parallels between Quaritch’s new journey and Jake Sully’s initial experiences on Pandora are evident, albeit viewed through a much darker lens.
Ultimately, by the film’s conclusion, Quaritch is softened enough to reject conflict with the Sully Family after he and Jake collaborate to save Spider’s life (Quaritch’s biological human son, who had been adopted by Jake). As he leaps off a cliffside, it remains uncertain whether he is alive or dead.
This unique bond formed through their shared concern for Spider prompts Jake to challenge Quaritch to perceive Pandora through fresh eyes in this new film. While he is not redeemed by the end of the movie, Quaritch is certainly conflicted enough to find himself at a significant crossroads by the conclusion of Fire & Ash.
The ambiguity surrounding his fate appears intentional, leaving audiences to ponder whether we might see Colonel Miles Quaritch return once again in the future of the Avatar franchise.
Should Quaritch Return (Again) In Avatar 4?
If and when Quaritch returns in Avatar 4, it likely won’t be as a straightforward villain again. After all, Fire & Ash has shown that he is far more intriguing in this new moral ambiguity.
A reluctant truce with the Sully Family could be captivating. Not friendship or forgiveness, but perhaps a bond formed out of necessity against a greater threat, especially if the RDA decides to abandon the colonel. Additionally, Quaritch’s relationship with Spider still holds immense untapped potential. Genuine efforts to connect could lead Quaritch towards a more redemptive storyline as well.
Avatar: Fire & Ash has demonstrated that Quaritch deserves his place as an ongoing character in the franchise with a future that merits exploration, assuming we indeed receive Avatar 4 and 5.
James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire & Ash is currently playing in theaters.
