Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Avatar: The Way of Water!

Avatar: Fire and Ash is the third film in the Avatar saga, and the film has already revealed how a major death from Avatar: The Way of Water is going to impact the story ahead of its 2025 release. The midpoint of the Avatar saga is getting close, with Avatar: Fire and Ash set to release on December 19, 2025.

In an interview with Empire, Lo’ak actor Britain Dalton and Tuktirey actor Trinity Bliss discussed how Neteyam’s death in Avatar: The Way of Water will impact their characters in the upcoming film. According to Dalton, “[Lo’ak] was born to be a leader,” but “He blames himself” for his older brother’s death.

Trinity Bliss describes Avatar: The Way of Water as “a coming of age for Tuk,” and Neteyam’s death had a major impact on her. Bliss explains that she doesn’t “think she’ll ever be the same,” but that Tuk could “move up the Sully ranks.” Here is an excerpt from the interview:

Neteyam’s (Jamie Flatters) death in The Way Of Water will hit all the young characters hard — especially Dalton’s Lo’ak. “[Lo’ak] was born to be a leader,” Dalton says. “But he’s never been given the trust. When Neteyam dies… that’s no way that he ever imagined being finally able to be seen. He blames himself.”

Those shockwaves ripple down to Bliss’ Tuktirey, the baby of the family, too. “[The Way Of Water] was quite a coming of age for Tuk,” she says. “I don’t think she’ll ever be the same. It’s the first time she’s experienced a death in her life. She’s still her small and mighty self, and maybe she’ll move up the Sully ranks.”

Neteyam’s Death Has Changed Them Forever

Very little is known about the story of Avatar: Fire and Ash, but Dalton and Bliss’ comments shed some light on their characters’ headspaces heading into the third film. The death of Neteyam is still fresh, and the two siblings will be wrestling with it as the third film’s story unfolds.

Lo’ak blaming himself for Neteyam’s death is incredibly interesting, and this guilt could shape his character in the future. It was clear that Avatar: The Way of Water was setting Lo’ak up as a major player in the Sully family, and while he previously felt ready to lead, this death could hold him back.

Our Take On How Neteyam’s Death Will Influence Avatar: Fire And Ash

The Death Has A Massive Impact

Neteyam’s death is arguably the most impactful death in the Avatar franchise so far, as the character still hasn’t come back. Colonel Quaritch and Dr. Grace both died in the first film, but Quaritch came back as an Avatar, and Sigourney Weaver returned to play Dr. Grace’s daughter Kiri, with her death being made mysterious thanks to their odd connection.

Neteyam is seemingly completely gone, and there are no hints that he will return in the third film. Fans of the franchise will definitely feel his absence in Avatar: Fire and Ash, and his impact on the Sully family seems to be an emotional driver for the film.