Avatar 2 actor explains ending scene that's left frustrated fans claiming it 'makes no sense'

Avatar: The Way of Water has delighted fans who have waited for over thirteen years for a return to the world of Pandora.

Since its release, the movie has grossed over $500 million and received rave reviews from fans and critics alike.

However, the finishing scene in the sci-fi epic has left fans equally baffled and frustrated.

It comes at the film's climax when Jake Sully is faced off against his old nemesis, Colonel Quaritch, who was originally killed in the first film but returns in the form of a Na'vi to seek revenge.

After defeating his foe, Jake leaves Quaritch to sink to the bottom of a sinking ship and swims to safety, presuming his longtime enemy to be dead.

However, Quaritch is saved from death by his son, Spider (Jack Champion) when he retrieves his estranged father from the ocean floor.

The film established that Spider was born after Quaritch's death in the original film, and he was raised alongside Jake and Neytiri's children on Pandora.

20th Century Studios

Although Spider did not stay with his father once he regained consciousness, his decision to save the life drew ire from several moviegoers.

Many took to social media to blast Spider's actions, claiming that they 'made no sense'.

One viewer tweeted: "Not really sure why Spider let Quaritch live?" as another commented: "The ending blows, Spider saves Quaritch for no reason, it defeats the whole point of the movie."

However, Stephen Lang, who plays Quaritch, has defended the plot point in a recent interview.

Speaking to Cinemablend, Lang said: "It’s cool. The kid’s torn, for sure, but it’s kind of … it’s justice there, whether… look, parentage aside, all of that aside, the fact of the matter is 20 minutes before that, I saved his life.

"I gave up the mission in order to keep the kid alive. Because there ain’t no doubt in my mind that [Neytiri] would have slit his throat."

20th Century Studios

Lang is referring to a scene earlier in the film's climax where Neyitri holds Spider at knife point in order to force Quaritch to surrender.

The actor continued: "And so, I think he, you know, he returns the favour. So we’re even-steven at that point, you know. That doesn’t necessarily reflect the fact that he thinks of me as ‘Daddy,’ because he doesn’t."

Avatar: The Way Of Water is not the final chapter in the Avatar franchise, as two sequels are set to be released in 2024 and 2026.