How Can Spider Breathe Without a Mask in Avatar: Fire and Ash Trailer?

Both trailers for Avatar: Fire and Ash have been released, and they contain a shocking revelation: Spider can breathe air in Pandora without a mask. As such, fans have been wondering how this is possible. In Avatar: The Way of Water, Spider, being human, always wore an oxygen mask to survive Pandora’s toxic air. The film, Fire and Ash, set to release later this year, pits Jake Sully and his family against the Ash People. The latter are a fearsome tribe with an affinity for fire, led by the vicious Varang.

So, how is Spider able to breathe without a mask as seen in the Avatar: Fire and Ash trailers? Here is what we have learnt on the subject.

How Spider can breathe without a mask in Avatar: Fire and Ash

It’s currently unclear how Spider can breathe without a mask in Avatar: Fire and Ash. The answer to the same will only be revealed once the film comes out.

However, based on the trailer footage — which shows Spider falling unconscious — there is a possible theory on how he gains the ability to breathe the air on Pandora.

At one point, Spider collapses, seemingly suffocating after his oxygen mask becomes damaged during a fierce aerial clash with the Ash People. As he struggles to breathe, Kiri witnesses his plight. Many fans believe Kiri, through her deep connection with Eywa, intervenes using her spiritual powers.

Due to Kiri using her powers, Spider likely ends up undergoing a transformation where he becomes a human-Na’vi hybrid. Thus, he ends up gaining the ability to freely breathe the air on Pandora without a mask.

Avatar: Fire and Ash premieres in theaters across the United States on December 19, 2025. James Cameron reprises his role as director and also co-wrote the screenplay with Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver. The trio also wrote the film’s story with Josh Friedman and Shane Salerno.

Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Cliff Curtis, Kate Winslet, Britain Dalton, Trinity Bliss, and Jack Champion reprise their roles from previous films. They are joined by Oona Chaplin, who plays Varang.