Jake Sully
A paraplegic former Marine who enlists to become part of the Avatar Program after his twin brother is killed. He is selected because of his military background, as it may help him develop an affinity with the Na'vi warrior culture. Jake is very down-to-earth, but he possesses a strong moral rudder. When he determines that the RDA plans to exploit the Na’vi and leave them high and dry once they’ve taken the unobtainium, he sides with the natives, deciding to protect them and preserve their way of life from abuse.
Colonel Miles Quaritch
The head of the RDA’s mining operation's security forces. He is a military man through and through, blunt and brutal in his dealings with both humans and the natives, he is profoundly loyal to his military code. He has a blatant disregard for Pandora's inhabitants that is evident in both the decisions he makes and his choice of words.
Dr. Grace Augustine
Exobiologist and head of the Avatar Program, she is also Sully's mentor and a campaigner for peaceful relations with the Na'vi. She has set up a school to teach the Na'vi English. When she realizes that her efforts to build diplomatic ties with the Na’vi have been abandoned by the RDA in favor of manipulation and access to unobtainium deposits, she joins Jake and the natives in trying to repel RDA forces.
Trudy Chacón
A gutsy female combat pilot assigned to support the Avatar Program. Over time, she becomes sympathetic to the Na'vi, especially after seeing Col. Quaritch massacre the natives. Her skills as an aircraft pilot are instrumental in thwarting RDA’s plans to destroy the Tree of Souls.
Parker Selfridge
The Corporate Administrator for the RDA mining operation, he represents RDA’s interests on planet Pandora. Initially he is willing to commit genocide to preserve the company profits, but later grows reluctant, as he is concerned that it will negatively taint his image. Col. Quaritch eventually manages to persuade him that it is necessary, and that the weapons used on the Na’vi will be non-lethal (stun weapons, knock-out gas, restraints, etc…). He is genuinely shocked, however, once the actual attacks are broadcast to the base.
Dr. Norm Spellman
A xenoanthropologist tasked with studying the Na’vi culture under the Avatar Program. He arrives on Pandora at the same time as Sully and operates an avatar. He is initially sent to spearhead a diplomatic mission to establish ties with the Na'vi. However, his lack of understanding of military/warrior customs causes the Na’vi representatives to treat him with disdain.
Neytiri
The daughter of the Omaticaya tribe chieftain, she is initially frustrated with Jake for his naiveté and clumsiness. She is also attracted to him because of his bravery, and they soon begin a romantic connection. Neytiri is a fearless, well-trained fighter who nevertheless finds herself at a loss when confronted by superior technology and “dishonorable” battle tactics of the humans.
Mo'at
The Omaticaya's spiritual leader and healer, she is Neytiri's mother and wife to clan leader Eytukan. Mo’at often calls for restraint and careful action, rather than violence and war.
Eytukan
The chieftain of the Omaticaya's tribe, Neytiri's father, and Mo'at's mate, he is highly respected in Na’vi circles for his wisdom and combat prowess. He falls during a battle against the RDA forces.
Tsu'tey
The best warrior of the Omaticaya tribe, he is seen as the heir apparent to the chieftainship of the tribe and is betrothed to Neytiri at the beginning of the film. He eventually succeeds Eytukan after his passing as tribal chieftain.
