After his introduction in Avatar: The Way of Water, Spider is set to become a hugely important character in the upcoming Avatar sequels. The much-anticipated sequel to James Cameron's highly acclaimed Avatar finally released on December 16, 2022, bringing audiences back to Pandora after over a decade, reintroducing the world of Jake Sully and Neytiri (Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña), who are once again pitted against Colonel Quaritch (Stephen Lang) and the forces of the RDA. Avatar: The Way of Water also debuts Jake and Neytiri's young family, featuring three biological children, the adopted daughter of Avatar's Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver), and their kids' close friend, "Spider," Quaritch's own son.

After the RDA evacuated Pandora at the end of Avatar, Miles "Spider" Socorro, too young to make the journey back to Earth, was left abandoned in Hell's Gate. Taken in by Jake and his family, Spider grew up in the forests of Pandora as an honorary member of the Sully family unit, but was reunited with his father, Colonel Quaritch, in Avatar: The Way of Water, who returned in the sequel despite his death in Avatar thanks to the RDA's recombinant avatar program. Spider is an interesting character in The Way of Water, advising Quaritch on his journey into Na'vi life, but still seeking the protection of the Sully family.

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Spider Is The Bridge Between Jake & Quaritch

Spider (Jake Champion) shooting a bow and arrow with Kiri (Sigourney Weaver) in Avatar 2.

In an interview with BTV Korea, James Cameron revealed a lot of behind-the-scenes information about the upcoming Avatar sequels, including the importance of Spider as the franchise continues. In Avatar: The Way of Water, Spider is portrayed by Jake Champion, and is one of the few human characters in the sequel. Cameron mentioned that "Spider becomes a very important character... he is kind of the pivot point in between Quaritch and Jake." Spider grew up with the Sully family and formed close bonds with the Sully kids, particularly Kiri (Sigourney Weaver), but also has an innate connection to Quaritch, so his dynamic going into the sequels will be very interesting.

The Avatar sequels are set to develop the main characters in some significant ways, and this will surely include Spider and his complex relationships with the Na'vi characters. Spider was shown to have grown a strong bond with Kiri, with many speculating that there could be a potential future romance between the pair, while his tumultuous relationship with Neytiri came to a dramatic head in the final moments of The Way of Water's climactic battle. However, Spider's future in the Avatar sequels is currently unclear, as audiences are left questioning where his allegiance truly lies, especially since he saved Quaritch at the end of The Way of Water.

Jake & Quaritch’s Relationship Will Change In The Avatar Sequels

Stephen Lang as Miles Quaritch fighting with Jake at the end of Avatar

Initially, Quaritch and Jake worked together in Avatar to infiltrate the Omatikaya clan's Hometree and relay structural information back to the RDA, who were preparing to destroy the tree and harvest the unobtanium hidden beneath. However, Jake turns his back on humanity and forms an army to fight back against Quaritch and his forces, resulting in the latter's death, and the human evacuation of Pandora. This only adds fuel to the fire when Quaritch returns as a recombinant soldier, now dead-set on a revenge mission against Jake Sully and his family, and seemingly setting up a battle for the ages against the two former military men.

In his BTV Korea interview, Cameron stated that the Avatar sequels wouldn't see "Quaritch and Jake constantly just fighting as we go along," suggesting that their relationship would become much more complicated as the franchise progresses. It could be Spider's connection to the pair that significantly changes their relationship in the upcoming sequels, since he could bring the adversaries closer together, or even push them further apart. Even so, it's likely that Quaritch and Jake will embark on an interesting journey together through the Avatar franchise, which has already seen significant steps now that Quaritch is in a Na'vi body.

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Will Quaritch Always Be Jake’s Adversary?

recombinant quaritch in avatar 2

It could be assumed that Jake would always be pitted against Quaritch in the Avatar franchise, but Cameron's comments in the BTV Korea interview might suggest otherwise. He did state that the sequels will have "the same adversary," but that the franchise would see "how the villain evolves," and though Cameron could be speaking specifically about Quaritch, he could also be more generally speaking about the RDA as a whole. The RDA are a massive force on Pandora, and have actively destroyed several sacred places for the Na'vi, and their development of Bridgehead City in The Way of Water proves that they won't be going anywhere anytime soon.

Avatar: The Way of Water has already dropped hints that Quaritch could be on a redemptive journey, especially after developing his relationship with Spider, to the point that he frees his hostage, Kiri, to spare Spider's life. This redemption story could eventually see Quaritch side with the Na'vi and battle the RDA, particularly now that he is permanently in a Na'vi body and has started to embrace life on Pandora. The pressure put on Spider, who might find himself stuck between two warring factions, could even see the teenager become a villain in his own right, perhaps replacing his father as an enemy to Jake Sully.

Avatar Characters Will Become Much More Complex In The Sequels

jake and his family meeting the metkayina clan

James Cameron has hinted at Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water simply being a tease of the true story before the heavier storylines kick off in Avatar 3. This sets up some massive events in the upcoming Avatar sequels, especially with several producers and writers hinting at some intense moments in films to come. Cameron also provided confirmation that the entire Sully family would move forward through Avatar 3, 4, and 5, but stated that each of the main characters would get very complex storylines that will change them all significantly, not only Jake and his family, but also Quaritch, and potentially even the RDA as a whole.

The fact that a lot of younger characters were introduced during Avatar: The Way of Water means that their stories have plenty of time to develop and grow over years. While Neteyam (Jamie Flatters) met his emotional demise in The Way of Water, Lo'ak (Britain Dalton), Kiri, and Tuk (Trinity Jo-Li Bliss), as well as the young Na'vi of the Metkayina, will see huge changes. Spider will also see some major growth, particularly due to his conflicting feelings towards Quaritch, and his familial connection to Jake and his family. Avatar: The Way of Water sets up some massive changes, and Spider could be key to the franchise's overarching story.

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