The primordial energy of Stromboli, with its constant eruptions and the dark profile that stands out over the Tyrrhenian Sea, also won over James Cameron. In the new Avatar 3 – Fire and Ashreleased on December 17, 2025, the Aeolian island will in fact be one of the main settings in the world of the Ash People, the volcanic tribe that will make its debut in the saga.
To tell the story of this new population, defined by unstable and incandescent environments, Disney production has chosen a place capable of already offering an “alien” atmosphere without the need for digital excess. The natural characteristics of the volcano, from the lava flows to the night glows of the crater, provide an authentic and perfect visual material for recreating the lands of Pandora.
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Filming in the Sciara del Fuoco area, in Ginostra and among the Bolle di Panarea, allowed the crew to capture light and movements of the landscape as they are, reducing the use of CGI to the bare minimum. Also supported logistically by local professionals such as Claudio Utano of the Molotre company, the recordings immortalized some of the most fascinating natural spectacles on the island, including moments of volcanic activity filmed live from the craters.
Previews, plot and first rumors about “Avatar 3 – Fire and Ash”
But what will the new film be about? Avatars? Despite James Cameron’s usual confidentiality, in recent months numerous previews have emerged – some confirmed, others the result of insistent rumors – about the narrative direction. The film will continue the events of the Sully family one year after the tragedy that marked the end of The Way of Water: Neteyam’s death, an event destined to leave a profound impact on the emotional balance of the protagonists. Jake and Neytiri, still suffering from mourning, will find themselves catapulted into a new conflict that will take them far from the waters of the Metkayina clan, which has now become their adoptive home.
At the center of the story will be the first Na’vi clan openly presented as the main antagonist: the Ash People, warriors tempered by fire and linked to a volcanic ecosystem that represents the most hostile side of Pandora. Leading them will be Varang, played by Oona Chaplin, a fierce and complex leader who – according to various rumors – will have much more complex motivations than the simple contrast “good versus bad”. His clan may in fact guard ancient traditions, perhaps even a spiritual vision of life on Pandora in stark contrast to that of other Na’vi groups.
One of the most persistent rumors concerns the unexpected alliance between Varang and Quaritch, Jake’s sworn enemy, who has returned in the form of an avatar and is tormented by an increasingly evident internal conflict. The agreement between the two could arise from Varang’s desire to protect his territory from a danger perceived as imminent, perhaps linked to human activities, perhaps to a mystery not yet revealed. There are rumors that the Ash People may consider the Sullys a greater threat than the humans themselves, thus fueling cross tensions between the clans of Pandora.
In addition to the volcano and the scorched lands of the Ash People, the film is expected to showcase new ecosystems, including regions inhabited by the Wind Clan, led by David Thewlis’ character Peylak. Completing the cast of the “new entries” will be Michelle Yeoh in the role of Dr. Karina Mogue and Jack Champion, who returns as Spider, now a teenager and increasingly divided between his two identities: the human one and the one emotionally linked to the Na’vi.
In short, the picture that emerges is of a tougher, more emotional and politically intricate chapter, where alliances will be less stable and morality much more ambiguous than in previous films. A conflict between clans, between families and even within individual characters, destined to expand the narrative horizon of the saga and prepare the ground for the two final sequels.
A long history between Stromboli and the big screen
Returning to the location, it is not the first time that Stromboli has become a film protagonist. Its harsh and magnetic nature has fascinated filmmakers since the 1950s. The most iconic film remains Stromboli (Land of God) by Roberto Rossellini, played by Ingrid Bergman, capable of transforming the island into the symbol of humanity struggling with a landscape as spectacular as it is challenging. In the same period, Anna Magnani was the protagonist of Volcano by William Dieterle, made in parallel and set on the Aeolian Islands.
These productions have contributed to establishing Stromboli’s image in the global imagination as a cinematic location par excellence. A role that returns today thanks to Cameron’s choice and Hollywood’s growing interest in the archipelago, also intensified by the filming of the project Odyssey by Christopher Nolan.
Now, with Avatar 3the Aeolian Islands renew their presence in international cinema. Stromboli, the Lighthouse of the Mediterranean, proves once again to be a place where reality becomes myth, ready to merge with science fiction to give new life to the magical world of Pandora.
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