Charlie Chaplin's Granddaughter Plays Varang in "Avatar: Fire and Ash"

Charlie Chaplin's granddaughter plays Varang in James Cameron's latest blockbuster, "Avatar: Fire and Ash." Actress Oona Chaplin has been tapped to play the pivotal character in the highly anticipated sequel to the Avatar universe, which has been loved by fans worldwide.

According to a report in Variety on Monday (December 22, 2025), Oona Chaplin is the granddaughter of film legend Charlie Chaplin. She is the daughter of Geraldine Chaplin, one of Charlie Chaplin's children and also a renowned actress.

Oona Chaplin revealed that she considered changing her name after graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and embarking on a professional acting career. She felt she didn't deserve her grandfather's fame.

"It's been a journey of self-worth, because I know certain doors have opened for me that might not have been possible if I hadn't been associated with this brilliant man," Oona said.

However, over time, her perspective has changed. She chose to retain the Chaplin name as a form of gratitude and a sense of responsibility to work harder.

"From guilt to gratitude. Nothing I do will ever compare to what my grandfather did. If people search for his name and watch his films, I feel happy because he was a genius," she said.

Although Charlie Chaplin's granddaughter is playing Varang in her first major Hollywood film, Oona has actually been a career actress since 2007.

She is known for projects such as "Game of Thrones," "Taboo," "The Crimson Field," and "Black Mirror." The 1986-born actress also believes that Charlie Chaplin would support her decision to star in "Avatar: Fire and Ash." "I feel like James Cameron is one of the directors most similar to Chaplin today. They know what they're talking about, and people listen," she said.

In "Avatar: Fire and Ash," Oona Chaplin plays Varang, a tribal leader depicted as strong, complex, and emotional. This character is said to play a crucial role in the dynamics of inter-tribal conflict on Pandora, expanding the narrative layers established since James Cameron's first film in 2009.

According to production reports, Varang is not merely a supporting character, but a central figure who will serve as a bridge between tradition, leadership, and morality amidst the major conflict on Pandora. Cameron himself is known for creating strong, layered, and psychologically deep female characters—something that is both a challenge and an honor for Oona.

For Oona Chaplin, being involved in a global-scale project like Avatar is not only a significant career step, but also a moment to prove herself beyond the shadow of her family's legacy. She recognizes that her name carries great expectations, but this only motivates her to work harder and demonstrate authentic acting.

In previous interviews, Oona explained that she underwent an intense character development process, including understanding the philosophy of Pandora's culture and the emotional dynamics of her characters. She also worked closely with the motion capture team and the motion capture technology, which has been a hallmark of Avatar production.

James Cameron himself is known as a perfectionist and visionary director. For Oona, the opportunity to work with him was special, as Cameron is considered a figure with artistic dedication and creative courage on par with legendary filmmakers of the classical era—including her grandfather, Charlie Chaplin.

Furthermore, Oona's presence in this film is also seen as a symbol of the continuity of artistic heritage across generations. Charlie Chaplin is known as a pioneer of silent cinema who combined comedy, tragedy, and social criticism. Meanwhile, Avatar represents the era of modern cinema technology with a futuristic approach and revolutionary visuals.

Many film observers consider Oona Chaplin's career journey to demonstrate a unique transition: from a classic European film family to the global Hollywood blockbuster industry. She proved that her identity as an actress is not only tied to her name, but also to the quality of her work and the professional dedication she has built over the years.

Nevertheless, Oona remains humble when discussing her grandfather's influence on her career. She describes Chaplin as more than just a legendary figure—but rather a source of moral inspiration about hard work, empathy, and the courage to continue experimenting in art.

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my family’s legacy,” she says, “it’s that art should be genuine, human, and never stop evolving.”

With her involvement in “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” Oona Chaplin is not only continuing her family’s legacy in film, but also opening a new chapter in her artistic journey on the global stage. Fans are eagerly awaiting how she will bring Varang to life — and how much her role will influence the future direction of the Pandora epic.

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