In the whirlwind of acclaim surrounding James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash, released on December 19, 2025, one performance has emerged as a standout revelation: Oona Chaplin’s fierce portrayal of Varang, the ruthless leader of the volcanic Ash People. The Game of Thrones alum, best known for her heartbreaking turn as Talisa Maegyr, has captivated audiences with her layered, explosive villainess—a character blending seduction, fury, and profound trauma. Yet, behind the scenes, Chaplin harbored deep insecurities about a pivotal sequence that has since become the film’s most talked-about moment: the intense tent encounter with Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang). For months, she worried her performance wasn’t good enough, contemplating a reshoot request—until Cameron’s reassuring words transformed her doubt into pride.

The tent scene, a sensual, hallucinogenic power struggle laced with S&M undertones, has ignited endless discussion. Quaritch seeks an alliance with Varang, but she flips the dynamic, dosing him with a potent powder and testing his resolve with a knife while revealing glimpses of her tragic backstory. It’s a sequence of raw vulnerability and dominance, exposing Varang’s origins in loss and separation from Eywa’s harmony. Critics and fans alike have hailed it as mesmerizing, with Cameron himself declaring it his favorite in the film—a moment he fought to preserve uncut during editing, even jokingly threatening the team with unemployment to restore every line.

Chaplin’s path to this breakout role was unconventional. Living in a self-built treehouse in the Cuban jungle, contemplating a step back from acting after years of steady work, she received the audition call in 2017. Initially hesitant, the opportunity to work with Cameron pulled her back. She beat out three major stars for Varang, impressing the director with her instinctive grasp during the audition—which centered on this very scene. “There’s a sexuality, there’s a dominating psychology, and there’s a lot of fury,” Cameron later explained. Chaplin navigated these layers fluidly, channeling personal anger from volunteer work with refugees into Varang’s rage, creating a character who feels revolutionary rather than purely villainous.

Filming in performance-capture added unique challenges. Chaplin embraced the freedom of the volume, incorporating ideas like wielding a buugeng weapon, but the emotional intensity lingered. After wrapping the scene—shot years ago alongside The Way of Water—self-doubt crept in. “It’s such an important scene—her whole origin story is in there,” Chaplin shared in reflections. “I really wanted to honor her trauma and the resilience of this character.” For months, she agonized, building courage to approach Cameron for reshoots.

Instead of agreeing, Cameron invited her to his private cinema. “I was like, ‘Okay, I’m just gonna ask James Cameron,’” she recalled. He responded, “I have something to show you,” screening the finished sequence. His verdict? “It’s my favorite.” The reassurance was profound, affirming her instincts and easing years of worry. Chaplin emerged proud, a rare feeling for the introspective actress.

This vulnerability humanizes Chaplin, granddaughter of Charlie Chaplin and daughter of Geraldine Chaplin, who has navigated fame’s shadow with quiet determination. Her Game of Thrones role ended tragically at the Red Wedding, but Varang offers longevity—spanning the saga. She views the character not as evil but as a traumatized leader reinventing Na’vi society, drawing from disconnection to nature.

Avatar: Fire and Ash continues the epic, exploring grief after The Way of Water‘s losses while introducing fire-wielding antagonists. Varang’s alliance with Quaritch forms a “power couple from hell,” their tent pact sealing volatile dynamics. The film’s volcanic visuals, emotional depth, and action have drawn praise, with Chaplin’s Varang stealing scenes amid returning stars like Zoe Saldaña, Sam Worthington, and Sigourney Weaver.

Chaplin’s journey—from treehouse retreat to Pandora’s fiery heart—mirrors Varang’s resilience. Her self-doubt, resolved through Cameron’s faith, underscores the collaborative magic behind the blockbuster. As audiences embrace this darker chapter, Chaplin’s performance stands as a testament to honoring complexity, turning personal fears into cinematic triumph. In a franchise built on wonder, her story reminds us that even stars grapple with insecurity—emerging stronger, just like the characters they bring to life.