When we talk about the Avatar movies, the cutting-edge and award-winning visual effects understandably are the hero of the story the most often. But, when CinemaBlend had a chance to visit James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment in Manhattan Beach, California, this week, the actress behind Fire And Ash fan-favorite Varang pointed out one behind-the-scenes detail that’s quite jaw-dropping.
Oona Chaplin embodied the leader of the Mangkwan (aka the Ash People) for the third Avatar film through performance capture. When I asked the actor about an element of making these movies that still blows her away, she pointed out this fact about one aspect of the production you may have missed. In her words:
I feel like listening to Simon Franglen, who's the composer, talk about how he literally invented instruments for a scene that maybe is 25 seconds, if that. He invented musical instruments in order to be played by Na’vi with different finger compositions, different sizes and different materials… then 3D printed them and then had the actors play on them.
Of course, writer/director James Cameron and the other filmmakers across all facets of the production are tasked with creating the believable world of Pandora for us to escape into. But the fact that the movie’s composer also took the time to create brand new instruments for a sequence that ultimately lasts less than a minute of the 3-hour-and-17-minute flick is pretty wild when you think about it. She spoke about it in more detail:
That scene with the Wind Traders, and there's like a little jig that happens where Spider's dancing all silly? So those instruments that are played there were invented for that scene because he had to go, ‘Oh, what materials would've been available for them?’ He went into a whole study and invented these instruments just for that tiny little scene. It's incredible. Like, he's remarkable. To hear him speak about it is the best.
The Avatar movies really are amazing, aren’t they? After the latest installment of the franchise ruled the holiday season box office, Fire and Ash has just arrived on digital platforms. If you’re like me and are amazed by the behind-the-scenes of these movies with stories such as this one, the new release also involves over three hours of never-before-seen bonus features to add more awe to how it was made.
While Oona Chaplin’s character is thought of as the new bad guy in Fire and Ash, she has spoken before about how Varang is thought of as the “hero of her people” following the Ash People going through a natural disaster that made them go “Well, fuck Ewya”.
James Cameron updated fans that Avatar 4 isn’t yet official, but he has spoken out about his desire to make Varang “a little more [prominent]” should it happen. With that in mind, perhaps those instruments, along with more facets of Ash People culture, will be explored further? Oona Chaplin has also teased “so many cool possibilities moving forward” for her character.
As the movie is now available to watch at home, you can check out our Avatar: Fire and Ash review and check out what blockbusters are on the way on the 2026 movie calendar here on CinemaBlend.
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