Oona Castilla Chaplin is a Spanish-Swiss-British actress born on June 4, 1986. Her mother, Geraldine Chaplin, is an English-American actress, while her father, Patricio Castilla, is a Chilean cinematographer.
She is grand daughter of Charlie Chaplin, who is her mother's father. Interestingly, she is named after her maternal grandmother, Oona O'Neill.
Oona spent her childhood mostly in Spain, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Cuba. She travelled often because of her mother's film career.
When she was 15, she began studying at Gordonstoun School in Scotland on a drama scholarship. After appearing in several plays, she was accepted into the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, where she graduated in 2007.
She has a half-brother, Shane, from her mother's previous relationship with film director Carlos Saura.
Oona plays Varang, the aggressive Tsahìk of the Mangkwan clan. Considered as the 'hero of her people', Varang is a violent and ruthless leader of the Ash people, leading a religion that worships fire.
Interestingly, Oona revealed that she was living in a treehouse built by herself when James Cameron approached her for the role in Avatar. “There are not a lot of things that would have gotten me out of my treehouse, but a call to meet Jim Cameron definitely did,” she told The Hollywood Reporter.
Oona Chaplin revealed that she prepared for her villain role, Varang, by using music, atmosphere, and personal rituals to connect with the character's fire and trauma, while also channelling her grandfather, Charlie Chaplin.
Describing her character, James Cameron said, she is "going down the dark path of being a shaman, being a Tsahìk. She sought out the dark version of those arts and trained herself. She actually has this kind of mind domination capability and pain infliction capability. It allows her to harness the truth from anyone."
Varang has the ability to ride a nightwraith. She can also touch fire, as she wields a bow that is equipped with flaming arrows.
Prior to Varang, she was best known for playing Robb Stark’s doomed bride-to-be, Talisa, in Game of Thrones.
She will also be seen in Avatar 4, which is currently being filmed and is expected to release in 2029.
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