In James Cameron’s Avatar, Miles Quaritch is the human military commander who leads the attack on Pandora.
Quaritch is the head of security for the Resources Development Administration’s operation on Pandora. A former Marine colonel, he commands the human forces protecting the mining project and treats the Na’vi resistance as a military obstacle. His approach contrasts with the scientists and translators who try to understand Pandora’s ecosystem and its people.
Stephen Lang played Quaritch in the 2009 film. Although the character dies during the original story, the Avatar sequels revisit him through a recombinant body containing his memories. That continuation is why the character remains important beyond the first film.
The name is sometimes confused with Parker Selfridge, the RDA administrator, or with Jake Sully, the former Marine who changes sides. Quaritch’s military rank and role make him the film’s principal human antagonist.