Stephen Lang Reveals Quaritch's Dark Alliance in Avatar 3
The actor opens up about his character's surprising connection to the warlike Ash People and how Colonel Quaritch continues evolving in the upcoming Avatar: Fire and Ash.
Colonel Miles Quaritch's journey through the Avatar saga has been anything but straightforward. After meeting his end in the original film, he returned in Avatar: The Way of Water as a recombinant - his human consciousness transferred into a Na'vi body, the very species he once fought against. Now, in Avatar: Fire and Ash, actor Stephen Lang reveals his character faces yet another transformation as he encounters the Mangkwan Clan, better known as the Ash People.
Finding Common Ground with Warriors
These fire-obsessed Na'vi represent a darker side of Pandora's inhabitants. Led by the intimidating Varang, the Ash People are described as bloodthirsty and warlike - qualities that surprisingly resonate with Quaritch's military background. Lang explains how his character must now navigate this new reality on Pandora.
"He must adapt to Pandora will he or nill he. He's tried to make Pandora adapt to him," Lang explains during a recent interview. "He brought in a certain consciousness when he was head of security at Hell's Gate. And, as he acknowledged very early on, 'My job is to keep you alive, and I will not succeed.' So, he was kind of doomed and consigned to failure from the very beginning. That whole thing has changed, now."
The DNA of Change
The transformation goes deeper than just physical appearance. Quaritch now carries Eywa's DNA in his veins, fundamentally altering his connection to Pandora. This biological change creates an internal conflict as he struggles to reconcile his human memories with his new Na'vi nature.
"He's become, I shouldn't say one with the planet, because he hasn't – or one with the moon – but now he has the DNA of Eywa, [it's] actually coursing through his veins, so he needs to find a way to adapt that's acceptable to the Quaritch that's left in him," Lang continues. "And, of course, the Mangkwan, the Ash People, represent that, because when he goes to where they live, he's in familiar territory. The very sulfurous smell of conflict and war is in the air. This is something that he understands. This is a milieu in which he exists."
The Evolving Rivalry with Jake Sully
Despite their history as enemies, Jake Sully believes Quaritch can embrace his new existence on Pandora. Throughout the film, Jake encourages his former adversary to connect with the natural world around him. This creates a complex dynamic between the two Marines.
"Well, there's been a definitely an evolution in the relationship, a deepening of the relationship, and, in some sense, there's been a widening of the chasm between them," Lang describes their complicated bond. "But, on a whole 'nother level, there's sort of almost a mutual dependence that has occurred, it seems to me. And, of course, they're bound together by this young boy, Spider, as well."
The presence of Spider adds another layer to their relationship. Both men share a connection to the boy, creating an unusual triangle that shifts throughout the story. "Whatever exists between Quaritch and Sully, just because of the fact that they're both Marines, they're both mission oriented, they both understand – they both have the same vocabulary, it seems to me," Lang notes.
However, fans shouldn't expect the two warriors to become friends anytime soon. Lang promises another epic confrontation between the longtime rivals. "There's a battle royale at the end, a real donnybrook that happens, and there's always a fight between Sully and Quaritch in these films," he says with obvious enthusiasm. "So, somehow you've got to keep kind of upping it. The ante goes up, and each one is different."