Avatar fans go wild as favorite character returns and 'steals the show'
The first trailer for Avatar: Fire and Ash - director James Cameron 's third film in the franchise - was released by Disney earlier today.
The film is scheduled for December 19 - three years after the second film, Avatar: The Way of Water, reached screens.
The new trailer shows beloved characters making their return, including Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), his wife Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), their three children and a human boy known as Spider.
However, it wasn't the main cast line-up that has caused excitement with fans.
Instead, it was Payakan - a large marine whale-like species native to the oceans of Pandora known as a Tulkun - that caused a frenzy.
Payakan formed a close bond with Jake's son Lo'ak in Avatar: The Way of Water.
He was labeled as an outcast by his own species and the Metkaynia - water Na'vi - clan.
The first trailer for Avatar: Fire and Ash - director James Cameron 's third film in the franchise - was released by Disney earlier today
Despite resistance during the majority of the second film, the Na'vi eventually accepted him after helping in the final battle.
And Avatar viewers, who immediately connected with the lovable rebel, were ecstatic to see his return.
'Glad they kept the whale buddy,' someone wrote on a Reddit thread about the new trailer.
'He was the MVP of the final battle in the last movie,' one person remarked.
Another shared: 'In this house, we stan Payakan.'
'Payakan stole the show in The Way of Water, so it's only natural that he comes back,' a user declared.
Others wrote, 'Aye. Payakan rules!' and 'Payakan is the best boy.'
VFX supervisor and executive producer Richard Baneham told Empire in reference to Payakan: 'He's turned out to be one of the most popular characters.'
He admitted the 'space whale' always had a role in the third film but that the emphasis has shifted due to his popularity.
'The reaction emboldened us to go forward and play Payakan at the very highest level,' he revealed.
The executive producer also shared that Payakan now has a female Tulkun friend, Ta'nok, who is also an outcast, and that there will be a deeper insight into Tulkun societal structures.
Not only will there be a deeper look at the sea creatures, but there will also be an introduction to a new Na'vi clan as well - the Ash People.
'You'll see a lot more Pandora that you never saw before,' Cameron said at the 2024 D23 Expo, per Variety.
'It's an insane adventure and a feast for the eyes, but it's also got very high emotional stakes, more than ever before.
'We're going into really challenging territory for all the characters you know and love.'
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