A major showdown between human military forces and the Na'vi and Metkayina tribes in Avatar 2 prevented all the characters from coming out alive.

WARNING: This article contains SPOILERS for Avatar: The Way of Water

Not every character in James Cameron's epic Avatar: The Way of Water ends up making it out alive in the movie - there are a few characters who die. The sequel to the groundbreaking 2009 movie Avatar was released in theaters in December 2022, twelve years after the original's debut. Avatar 2 went on to generate $2.3 billion at the box office, making it the third highest-grossing film ever made after Avengers: Endgame at roughly $2.8 billion and the original Avatar at $2.9 billion. Cameron's series of sequels have been in development for over a decade.

Avatar 2 introduced the Metkayina tribe, who fought alongside Jake Sully and the Na'vi in The Way of Water. Avatar 3 is set to explore new parts of Pandora and could potentially include new species of Na'vi in their fight against the human "alien" invaders. Whether or not this is the plan for the upcoming Avatar movies, the first two have already been built around the necessity of warfare, and with warfare comes loss. Avatar: The Way of Water is no different, with one surprising death along the way.

Neteyam Is The Only Major Death In Avatar 2

Neteyam (Jamie Flatters) is the only major character death in Avatar: The Way of Water. He is the eldest son of Jake Sully and Neytiri who is expected to protect and look after his younger siblings throughout the movie. Neteyam was only 15 years old when he died during the climax of Avatar 2. He and his younger, more reckless brother Lo'ak were determined to save their symbolic brother Spider, the biological son of the antagonist Miles Quaritch. Neteyam was shot and killed by Quaritch as he and his family were trying to escape at the end of Avatar: The Way of Water.

Neteyam died in his parents' arms to the horror of Lo'ak, who convinced him to try and save Spider. Neteyam's death sets up a strong foundation for redemption and revenge arcs that will likely arise in the Avatar sequels. Jake and Neytiri will certainly be looking to avenge their eldest son's death and end Quaritch's maniacal path of destruction once and for all. Neteyam's death will certainly have a major effect on Lo'ak in Avatar 3 and could either make him more resilient and cautious or send him down a dark path of pain and remorse. The tragedy will also determine the paths of Jake and Neytiri's other children, Tuktirey and Kiri, and will likely find them seeking revenge or healing in their own individual forms.

Over 100 Unnamed Soldiers & Warriors Are Killed In Avatar 2

Neteyam was not the only character who lost his life in Avatar: The Way of Water. Dozens or even hundreds of unknown casualties lost their lives in combat on both sides of the battle. The warfare from the original Avatar that was once about imperialism and resource extraction became a bloodlust battle for revenge in Avatar 2. Several of Quaritch's blind followers and his whaler associates were killed as well as many of the Na'vi and Metkayina people who died protecting their homeland. Mick Scoresby, the greedy captain of the SeaDragon, seems to die in Avatar: The Way of Water when his arm is severed and he's tossed into the sea. Remarkably, Scoresby survived the incident and will return in Avatar 3.

Why Avatar 3's Character Kill Count Will Be Higher Than Avatar 2

The combat and bloodshed in Avatar 2 are only the beginning of what is likely to be an all-out war between several clans on Pandora and the human race. Both sides of the conflict will now be seeking revenge for the transgressions of the other and the stakes for the fate of Pandora will only increase over time. There is the possibility that more warfare could break out between different clans on Pandora, or even that the Metkayina could retaliate against Jake Sully and the Na'vi for bringing treacherous warfare to their peaceful community. The Metkayina were initially reluctant to shelter Jake Sully and his family and ultimately invited a war into their sacred land by offering their assistance.

Neteyam was the only notable character death in Avatar 2 but more significant deaths will likely come about the Avatar 3 and the franchise's remaining sequels. Although Cameron himself confirmed that Neytiri will visit Earth in Avatar 5 for the first time, it remains to be unclear why she will travel there and if she will have her family by her side to support her. It could very well be that Neytiri will go to Earth to provide Jake Sully a proper burial on his home planet if he ends up dying in Avatar 4. It is also plausible that Quaritch will die in one of the sequels, leaving Spider to avenge his death. The battles and bloodshed will continue on after Avatar: The Way of Water.