Oona Chaplin, granddaughter of film legend Charlie Chaplin, portrays the villain Varang in the latest Avatar installment. She has spoken about considering a name change early in her career due to the weight of her famous lineage. The role marks her entry into major Hollywood blockbusters.
Oona Chaplin brings to life the character of Varang, the antagonist in Avatar: Fire and Ash, directed by James Cameron. As the granddaughter of silent film icon Charlie Chaplin through her mother, Geraldine Chaplin—who was also an accomplished actress—Oona has navigated the challenges of a prominent family name in the industry.
After graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Chaplin contemplated altering her surname to forge her own path. "It’s been a journey to feel deserving, because I know that doors have opened for me that potentially wouldn’t have opened if I wasn’t associated with this brilliant man," she told The Times of London. "It’s definitely tricky to feel undeserving of the place you’re in."
Ultimately, she chose to retain her name, embracing it with a sense of gratitude. Her perspective evolved "from guilt to gratitude by working really hard and knowing that whatever I do is never going to compare to what my grandfather did," she explained. "If all my purpose in this realm is for people to say, ‘Oh, Charlie Chaplin’s granddaughter’, and they google him and watch a movie of his, then I’m happy because he’s such a genius."
Chaplin's acting career began in 2007, with notable roles in series such as Game of Thrones, Taboo, The Crimson Field, and Black Mirror. She believes her grandfather would have approved of the Avatar franchise. "I feel like James Cameron is probably one of the closest things that we have to Chaplin now, even though they’re really different," she said. "They know what they’re talking about, so people listen."
Cameron praised her audition, noting he initially considered established stars but was drawn to Chaplin's unique interpretation. "Oona surprised me with her perception of the character, her way of moving, and her utter fearlessness," he told IndieWire. "And she was well-prepared—she knew the scene cold, and it was seven or eight pages."
Avatar: Fire and Ash is currently screening in theaters across the United States.
