The release of Avatar: Fire and Ash has kept the momentum of the blockbuster series rolling, not only with its box office, but the scale of its final battle between the natives of Pandora and the invading humans. But as Jake Sully once again rides his massive steed to become Toruk Makto, even fans will be left to face one unanswered question: why did Jake ever give up that power and protection, or use it in The Way of Water?
Why Did Jake Give Up The Powerful Role of ‘Toruk Makto’?
The Na’vi’s Greatest Weapon Was Needed in ‘The Way of Water’
It’s a question and open plot thread that audiences likely never thought to ask, considering the Sully family’s dramatic departure from their home with the Omatikaya in Avatar: The Way of Water. With so much distance covered before finding refuge with the Metkayina, it seemed that the massive Toruk was too far away to be recruited for that film’s third act battle. But with Fire and Ash, the story turns that decision (or non-decision) into an outright plot problem.
Audiences can be forgiven for thinking that proving oneself to be Toruk Makto, the great “Last Shadow,” would be a title and ally for life. So the third film finally addresses the obvious question, at least, with Jake Sully dismissing the idea of him riding Toruk once again:
“When you ride the beast, you become the beast. And the more blood, the better. I will not become Toruk Makto again.”
More evocative than an explanation, this line isn’t easy to fully process and make sense of in the moment. But it could be speculated upon… if not for the events of the movie which follow.
Avatar: Fire and Ash Only Makes Toruk’s Absence More Confusing
Instead of Explaining Jake’s Decision, His Return To Toruk Seems Like A Good Thing
The idea that Jake did not fly Toruk to save his children or people in Avatar 2 because the bloodlust was too dangerous might work, but his decision that, ‘No, I actually do need to fly Toruk to save my people after all’ in the third movie ruins those chances. No, Fire and Ash implies that this may be a role or risk that Jake is somehow now afraid of, or might feel unfit for after years away. But Lo’ak’s narration as Jake returns to Toruk’s nest makes the entire issue even more confusing:
“Toruk loved my father. He knew they were greater together. That when they flew, there would be blood.”
The introduction of love between Jake and Toruk is entirely new, only adding a tragic side to their unclear separation. Not to mention removing any implication that there is anything sinister in the bond with Toruk, by default. So the logic presented is as follows: to win the war, Jake bonded with Toruk to unleash maximum damage. Then he left Toruk and refused their bond because of the damage they could do. Until he decided to do damage again, and returned to become Toruk Makto. And worst of all, he never exhibited anything but heroism.
Needless to say, it’s a remarkably unclear aspect of the story, at the very least. And thankfully, there IS a key part missing from the movies, which not only explains the real reason Jake feared becoming Toruk Makto, but makes his return to the role in Fire and Ash even more powerful.
The Actual Reason Jake Stopped Being Toruk Makto Makes Perfect Sense
The Full Explanation Makes The Third Movie Even Better
The explanation is ultimately spelled out perfectly in Avatar: The Gap Year – Tipping Point, a canon comic series revealing the events which took place during the time jump at the start of Avatar: The Way of Water. The story from Ethan Sacks, Salvatore Porcaro, and Michael Atiyeh takes fans through the initial stages of conflict upon the RDA’s return to Pandora, fifteen years after the original movie.
With the RDA now returning in force to Pandora (and introducing the perfect villain for Avatar 4), it’s only a matter of time until Na’vi start being killed in encounters with the hostile humans. Immediately leading some to ask why the Toruk Makto has disappeared, when he already led their people to victory once before. And Jake has an answer, even if he shares it only with himself:
“Neytiri won’t say it. But I know what my wife is thinking. What they are all thinking. What they are all hoping. They are waiting for the return of Toruk Makto. The warrior I had to be to unite the clans at the battle of the Hallelujah Mountains.
“But I will never ride the Toruk again. Because too many young Na’vi warriors followed me into battle that day believing the songs. They died believing in a legend. I can’t bear that weight ever again. There has to be another way.”
This helps explain why Jake invests all his time and energy in The Way of Water to training, organizing, and strategically deploying his Na’vi fighters to avoid direct combat. Not to mention why he has no desire to indirectly slay members of the Metkayina in battle, either. And by focusing on the Na’vi casualties that Jake caused by rallying an army with the mythic strength of the “Last Shadow,” the question of whose “blood” flows when Toruk Makto flies is completely changed.
With this new explanation, it’s Jake’s belief that “there has to be another way” which is also woven into the emotional climax of Fire and Ash. When the elder Tulkun resisted open violence, they were sharing Jake’s own concerns. But as Jake finally accepts he is fighting a war against annihilation, the true meaning and weight of his reclaiming the role of Toruk Makto is finally clear. And the final battle becomes exactly that, no matter who comes out on top.
Fans may wish that this explanation had made it into the films themselves, but at least repeat viewings can be seen through a new lens, making Avatar: Fire and Ash a movie that will only improve with viewings.
- Release Date
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December 19, 2025
- Runtime
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197 Minutes
- Writers
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Amanda Silver, Rick Jaffa, James Cameron, Josh Friedman, Shane Salerno