Avatar 2: Every Character Returning In James Cameron’s Long-Delayed Sequel

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Even though Avatar released over 10 years ago, several characters are returning for James Cameron's long-delayed sequel, Avatar 2. Avatar 2 is the first of several planned sequels that will release over the next few years. Avatar 2 and Avatar 3 were filmed back-to-back. Originally slated for a holiday 2020 release back in 2017, Avatar 2 will hit theaters in December 2021, several years after it was originally planned a decade ago.

Before Marvel's Avengers: Endgame, James Cameron's groundbreaking Avatar movie was the highest-grossing film of all-time. Despite its remarkable success, it's taken many years for 20th Century Fox - or what is now 20th Century Studios - to get the long-awaited sequel off the ground. The film, which takes place years after the events of Avatar, will explore the ocean of Pandora through underwater motion capture and introduce a new group called the Metkayina clan who live by the reef and dive in the ocean.

Avatar 2 features a star-studded cast and brings quite a few recognizable names into the franchise, such as Kate Winslet, Michelle Yeoh, and Vin Diesel. There's also Fear the Walking Dead's Cliff Curtis, Edie Falco, Jermaine Clement, and more. It should be noted that Signourney Weaver, who appeared in Avatar as Dr. Grace Augustine, will be playing a completely different character in Avatar 2, since Augustine died at the end of the first film. Here's every existing character from the original movie that's coming back for Avatar 2.

Jake Sully

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Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) was the main protagonist of Avatar. Jake was a disabled Marine who became a part of the Avatar program. His objective was to gather information on the Na'vi for the R.D.A (Resources Development Administration). After meeting the Na'vi and being initiated into the tribe, Jake grows attached to his new tribesmen and ultimately sides with them against the R.D.A. At the end of the movie, Jake becomes the tribe's leader, leaves his human life behind forever, and is transferred permanently into his avatar. By the time of Avatar 2, Jake will have started a family.

Neytiri (Zoe Saldana)

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The main female character and love interest to the protagonist in the first Avatar was Zoe Saldana's Neytiri, a Na'vi and member of the Omaticaya tribe. She was the daughter of its leader, Eytukan (Wes Studi). Shortly after meeting Jake, Neytiri developed a romantic attraction to him, and soon after, they began a relationship. Zoe Saldana is back to play Neytiri in the sequel, and her role, like Jake's, will be significantly different, considering that both characters will be parents to three children: Neteyam (Jamie Flatters) Lo'ak (Britain Dalton), and Tuk (Trinity Bliss).

Dr. Norm Spellman

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Human scientist Dr. Norm Spellman (Joel David Moore) was deeply invested in the Avatar Program, and was quite knowledgeable in all matters related to the Na'vi. However, despite his interest in the project, it was his friend Jake who was selected to be the avatar. However, Norm acted as an ally and tutor to Jake, helping him to understand their ways. He even stood with Jake when it came time to oppose the R.D.A. He was also one of only a select few humans who wasn't forced out of Pandora at the end of the movie, so Joel David Moore returning for Avatar 2 certainly makes sense for the story.

Parker Selfridge

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Parker Selfridge, played by Giovanni Ribisi, was the head of the R.D.A in Avatar. In order to secure his interests, which was to mine the minerals found beneath the Na'vi's sacred tree, Selfridge knew that the Na'vi would have to be removed. Though he cared little for what happened to them, he did allow Jake more time to reason with them, as he preferred diplomacy over violence. But in the end, Selfridge put aside his reservations and allowed his men to do whatever it took. Selfridge survived the events of the movie, and will be back for all the announced Avatar sequels.

Dr. Max Patel

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In 2018, it was confirmed that Dileep Rao would be reprising his role as Dr. Max Patel in the Avatar sequels. Max was a civilian scientist who worked on the Avatar Program. His main responsibility to the Program was to oversee the process that transferred human minds into their avatar bodies. Max, loyal to Dr. Augustine, turned against the R.D.A. and helped Jake throughout the movie. Like Norm, Max was allowed to remain in Pandora at the end of Avatar.

Mo'at (CCH Pounder)

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Mo'at (CCH Pounder), the mate to Eyukan and the mother of Neytiri, was the spiritual leader of the tribe in Avatar. She was regarded by the tribe as a wise and benevolent figure whose words carried great weight. She was upset when she discovered that Jake was a spy, but freed him when she realized that his help was necessary for the survival of the clan. At the end of Avatar, it was Mo'at who managed to permanently transfer Jake's essence into his avatar body.

Miles Quaritch

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Stephen Lang's Miles Quaritch, a experienced soldier who worked for R.D.A., was the primary antagonist in Avatar. Qauritch despised the Na'vi and had no qualms with killing them to achieve the R.D.A.'s goals. Quaritch's ruthless methods put him at odds with Jake and several other characters. Quaritch launched devastating attacks on the Na'vi, but was eventually killed by Neytiri. Though Quaritch is dead, Stephen Lang's character is confirmed to be back for Avatar 2 and Avatar 3. How the sequel will engineer Qauritch's return remains to be seen, but it has been said that Quaritch will have a "complicated" role in the Avatar universe going forward.

Lyle Wainfleet

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In Avatar, Matt Gerald portrayed secondary antagonist Corporal Lyle Wainfleet, a soldier and mercenary in the employ of the R.D.A., as well as a subordinate of Quaritch. Wainfleet took Quaritch's side in the final conflict between the R.D.A. and the Na'vi. He operated the AMP suit and used it to kill some of the Na'vi in the last assault. He died after being crushed by a charging animal. But like Quaritch, death won't stand in the way of his return to the Avatar franchise. Gerald's Wainfleet will somehow be back for the Avatar sequels, including Avatar 2.

Avatar 2 (2021)
Release Date: Dec 17, 2021

Avatar 3 (2023)
Release Date: Dec 22, 2023

Avatar 4 (2025)
Release Date: Dec 19, 2025

Avatar 5 (2027)
Release Date: Dec 17, 2027