Exclusive First Look: David Thewlis as Peylak in ‘Avatar: Fire & Ash’

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Preparing for the upcoming release in December 2025, titled Avatar: Fire and Ash, Empire magazine has been sharing insights about the movie’s characters and setting through their regular “Path to Pandora” series, found in each new issue. This month, Empire has revealed a first glimpse of a fresh character called Peylak, who will be portrayed by an actor well-known for his role as Remus Lupin in the Harry Potter film series. Notably, this new Na’vi character does not belong to the Mangkwan ‘Ash’ Clan, but rather serves as the Chief of the Tlalim Clan, also known as the Wind Traders.

Deborah L. Scott, the costume designer on the film, provided insight into the creation process of Peylak’s design, making him the most stylish character in the Avatar series so far (as depicted below). The distinctive features of Peylak include a vibrant robe and extraordinary hairstyle, both adorned with intricate patterns in the fabric that set him apart from other Na’vi. Scott characterized Peylak, as well as the Wind Traders to some degree, as the most optimistic clans depicted thus far, expressing that they possess a positive outlook compared to the others.

“They’re cheerful, joyful, vibrant, and their arrival in our film always sparks anticipation among the audience. It feels like a circus has arrived in town. Initially, the cloak was more rugged and rustic. But as the clans evolved, Jim [Cameron] expressed that it wasn’t grand enough for his vision. So, I went back and reimagined it.”

This version maintains the original meaning while using simpler, more conversational language to make it easier for readers to understand.

‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Continues to Expand On the World of Pandora

In the upcoming film “Fire and Ash,” we’ll meet the Tlalim Clan and their unique, jellyfish-like mode of transport – another fascinating aspect that adds depth to the story. This next installment of “Avatar” seems to be shaping up as the most expansive one yet, with James Cameron building an intricate world filled with new Na’vi culture. The lengthy runtime of these films is being justified by the extensive world-building and number of sequels planned for the “Avatar” series, making it harder and harder to argue against the director’s plans.

Regarding Thewlis’ character, he provided a glimpse into his role by mentioning that Peylak is an impressive Na’vi to watch, describing him as someone who carries himself with grace and has exceptional posture. He went on to say that Peylak is breathtakingly beautiful in the movie. It appears that The Wind Traders may form an alliance with Jake (Sam Worthington) and the Metkayina Clan. However, specific plot details are being kept secret for now. Nevertheless, it seems likely that the Mangkwan ‘Ash’ Clan will serve as the main adversary in the series.

James Cameron hints that the upcoming movie will delve into uncommon themes and character developments that most blockbusters avoid, and if Peylak’s design is any guide, it promises to be stylish. It’ll be intriguing to observe how the Wind Traders’ costumes are designed, as Scott and the Avatar film team have meticulously created each clan to stand out distinctly from one another.

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2025-02-08 03:05