Avatar: the last airbender live-action on Netflix
Netflix is set to do a live action version of Nickelodeon’s beloved Avatar: The Last Airbender. The Nick show ran from 2005-2008. The Original series was looked upon as one greatest television series of all time. Evidently, the show went on to win five Annie Awards, a Genesis Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Kids’ Choice Award, and a Peabody Award (via Wikipedia.org). Furthermore, the show explored adult concepts of as war, genocide, imperialism, totalitarianism, and free choice. All of which had not been present in a kid’s show before.
Avatar: the last airbender, Show Summary
Avatar’s premise enlies in a war-torn world of elemental magic as the Fire Nation undertakes world domination as the superior and only elemental. But first, they must rid the others. A young boy named Ang wakes up and embarks on a perilous journey to fulfill his destiny as the Avatar. Thus, only Ang can bring peace to the world but he must master all four elements to do so. Zuko, a firebender will do anything to stop Avatar to end his banishment and prove himself worthy to his family.
M. Night Shayamalan Adaption of Avatar: the last airbender
This is not the first time that Avatar was treated to a liveaction remake. In 2010, a live action film was done by famed director M. Night Shayamalan. However, despite the stellar direction choice reception was not great. Ultimately, viewers left theaters disappointed. Consequently, viewers complained about casting, directing, writing, and acting. Unfortunately, there was nothing to redeem the film and it was written off as a disastrous flop.
Netflix Adaptation
Albert Kim (Sleepy Hollow, Nikita) will be in charge of the show as the showrunner, executive producer, and writer. The series will also have executive producers Dan Lin (The Lego Movie, Aladdin) and Lindsey Liberatore (Walker) from Rideback, along with Michael Goi (Swamp Thing, American Horror Story). Roseanne Liang is the co-executive producer, and the directors will include Goi, Roseanne Liang, and Jabbar Raisani.
Netflix teased a first look at the casting of Avatar: the last airbender and the characters of Ang, Katara, Sokka, and Zuko. Te following are the actors cast to take on the Avatar’s beloved roles. Can they do the characters justice?
First, Gordon Cormier will play Ang. The actor is 13 years old and know for his appearance in Netflix’s Lost in Space and The Stand for CBS. Secondly, Kiawentiio Tarbell will play the role of Katara. Tarbell is a 14-year-old who is best known for appearing in Netflix’s co-production of Anne with an E. Next, Ian Ousley will take on the role of Sokka. Ousley is most known for appearing in Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why and Big Shot and also stared in Young Sheldon. Finally, the main villain of the show, Zuko, will be played by Dallas Liu. Liu recently appeared in PEN15 for Hulu and the upcoming Marvel movie, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Albert Kim made this remark as he shared news around casting,
“We’re going to expand and evolve the world, with surprises for both existing and new fans. But our main focus has always been authenticity—to the story, the characters, and the cultural influences.”
Kim went on to speak more about cultural influences in Avatar: the last airbender. Specifically, Kim spoke about the Asiatic indigenious embodiment in the characters and his efforts to give reverence and explore those stories with genuity.
Can Netflix redeem the series and do a worthy live action remake that stays true to the core of the show? While, some remain skeptical after the botched film adaptation, there are still many that remain hopeful that this will be the fanworthy remake everyone all hoped for.