'Avatar 3' aims to become end-of-year blockbuster

The third film in the Avatar series, which will hit cinemas this month, is hoping to extend the success of one of the highest-grossing franchises in history with another environment-themed visual thriller.

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"Avatar: Fire and Ash", directed by James Cameron 16 years after he first enthralled fans with his blue-coloured Na'vi people, will release in major markets from December 17 ahead of the holiday season.

The first Avatar made a record $2.9 billion at the global box office, while 2022's follow up "The Way of Water" scored around $2.3 billion despite the post-Covid slump in cinemas, according to figures from The Hollywood Reporter.

Here is what you need to know about the new film which premiered in Hollywood and Paris this week:

- Family and immigration -

Viewers find the hero Jake (Sam Worthington), who has since become Toruk Makto, a warrior with legendary status, and his wife Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), mourning the death of their eldest son Neteyam on their planet Pandora.

They are attempting to rebuild with their three children, including Kiri, an adopted Na'vi teenager played by Sigourney Weaver, and a human, Spider (Jack Champion), considered part of the family by all except Neytiri.