Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Avatar: The Way of Water
Although criticism exists for Avatar: The Way of Water that suggests Avatar 3 and future sequels should have a new villain, Miles Quaritch (played by Stephen Lang) has more than earned his right to be the franchises’ overarching big bad. The changes experienced by Quaritch in the new Avatar are big and very complex. As such, it feels as though there should be plenty of room to explore his character going forward.
In Avatar: The Way of Water, it’s revealed that Quaritch had downloaded his memories and personality in the event of his death during the first film’s final battle. Following the demise at the hands of Jake Sully and Neytiri, the RDA activated Quaritch’s recombinant body, his own Na’vi hybrid host, which received all the memories of the original Quaritch. However, The Way of Water proves that this new Quaritch is far more than the man he once was by the film’s end.
The Way Of Water’s Quaritch Changes Prove He Can Be Avatar 3’s Villain
Thanks to his new status quo, Recom Quaritch experiences brand-new inner conflict, making him far more compelling than the original, who had far less dimension in the first Avatar. Not only does Quaritch have to get used to having the body of his enemy, but he also has to reconcile the memories of his past self with his present. Although his desire for revenge against Jake Sully is a constant, there are moments in which Quaritch is now less sure of himself, even experiencing fear after seeing a recording of the original Quaritch’s death. As such, there’s so much new depth and dimension to be explored in Avatar 3 and beyond.
Likewise, these changes are highlighted when the new Quaritch encounters Miles “Spider” Soccoro, the son of the original Quaritch raised by the Na’vi and humans loyal to the Omatikaya clan. Taking him back to the RDA and attempting to use him for intel, this Quaritch shows a level of compassion and affection to Spider that the original allegedly never offered. Likewise, he tries to appeal to Spider: “I’m not that man.” By the end of Avatar: The Way of Water, that sentiment starts becoming true, especially after Quaritch lets Jake’s daughter go after Neytiri threatened to kill Spider during the final confrontation.
Could Quaritch Be Redeemed In Future Avatar Sequels?
Spider and Quaritch share enough of a bond in The Way of Water that Spider chooses to save Quaritch’s life rather than let him drown. However, Spider still decided to return to the Sully Family rather than leave with his “father.” As such, Quaritch is still alive and out there to become the villain of Avatar 3 and future sequels. However, one might wonder if Spider’s mercy will motivate Quaritch to embrace a new way of life, letting go of his past and grudges held by the old Quaritch.
While a full redemption seems slim, it wouldn’t be surprising if this new version of Quaritch tries to reunite with Spider, seeing as how he cares about him more than the original Quaritch did. Regardless, Avatar 3 doesn’t need a new villain because it already has one ready to go. The first film had the original Quaritch, Avatar: The Way of Water debuted Recom Quaritch, who’s in a transitional space, and Avatar 3 can have Quaritch continuing to embrace the new, becoming far more dimensional and possibly more sympathetic in the films to come.