One of the greatest cartoons ever, in my opinion, is Avatar: The Last Airbender. Last year, I watched all three seasons (called ‘books’ in their cool structure, named after the elements in the story) and while it took a few episodes to get into, it picked up fast and quickly became an incredible journey, a deep story and most of all, an entertaining series for all audiences.
Today, we finally have the first images of two main characters, Aang and Prince Zuko from the movie after the jump.
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The show was critically acclaimed and a massive success for Nickelodeon. So, it was no surprise when they quickly went ahead and started to make a movie (or a trilogy of movies) based on the show. The project is headed by M. Night Shyamalan who desperately needs a new hit on his resume to counter his falling reputation from each of his movies being consecutively worse than the previous.
What raised a sense of worry about this particular project is that many thought it just too difficult to translate the cartoon into live-action without it either being too extreme, goofy and corny (similar to Dragonball Evolution), or it not respecting the source material and therefore, the built-in fanbase.
The situation got real bad later on in the process, when casting announcements started hitting the web and many folks were up in arms over alleged racist casting choices in selecting mostly Caucasian actors to play Asian characters. This was most notable when young pop star Jesse McCartney was cast as Prince Zuko.
Fans were not impressed. Could this situation have any more negatives going for it?
Conveniently, he dropped out, and more conveniently they cast a non-Caucasian actor to replace him. Hot from the buzz surrounding Slumdog Millionaire, the talented Dev Patel stepped in to play the role and I thought it was a great decision.
Continuing the trend of addressing the lack of a multi-cultural cast, further casting announcements were made over a month later adding Aasif Mendvi, Shaun Toub, Cliff Curtis and Keong Sim to the The Last Airbender’s roster.
There were still doubts surrounding the movie and I didn’t feel much positive for the project. That is, until now…
USA Today has a pair of exclusive photos of Noah Ringer, the 12-year old Karate star in full costume as Aang (the Avatar) and of Dev Patel in costume as Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation:
Noah Ringer in full costume as Aang
Dev Patel as Prince Zuko
Their costumes look awesome and the actors look good in character – except for Patel’s hair which is the same as in Slumdog and nothing like Zuko’s from the first season. That being said, we don’t know what context that photo is from. It could be a flashback or some other scene. You’ll notice the angle of his face hinders our view of the part of his face where his big scar should be.
With these images finally out, we can hopefully expect to see more popping up online. I’m interested in seeing the other main characters and most especially, Appa, the six-legged flying Sky Bison. For those of you who never saw the show, I know it sounds crazy.
What do you think of the live-action incarnations of Aang and Prince Zuko?
The Last Airbender (the leading title word “Avatar” was dropped as to avoid confusion with James Cameron’s Avatar) is scheduled to open July 2, 2010.
Airbender Trivia: Noah Ringer’s friends called him Avatar for years because of his resemblance to the character before even auditioning.
Source: USA Today
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70 Comments
You’ve missed the whole point! Why do people seem to overlook the fact that not many story lines that hit mainstream Hollywood, that are produced and hit the theaters are based in the Asian culture? The issue isn’t if a non Asian actor can pull off the role. The main issue is that given the limited amount of roles for for Asian actors, it’s wrong to exclude them from the main cast of a Asian based story line that revolves around a clearly Asian culture!
..and Jade, Oriental is a word used in reference to a object, not a person.
Prime example to my point about ethnic roles, Slumdog Millionaire. Was consideration given to any other non Indian actors to play the lead characters in a clearly Indian/India based story line? Even though a non Indian actor, with make up and providing a powerful performance could have pulled it off. No, it didn’t happen. Just like it’s not happening here with this movie, only in reverse.
I’m actually very excited to see this movie, and I’ve basicly been a fan of it ever since it first aired in 2005. Even though the series is finished i still watch some of my favorite episodes from time to time.
Basicly I couldn’t care less about the ethnic background of the cast really. as long as their good actors and have good martial arts exprience, im fine. And also you guys have to realise that these guys are trying to make this movie as authentic as they possibly can, so the characters aren’t gonna be wearing the same bright clothing that they do in the show. I think wat aang is wearing in the picture is really realistic compared to actual monks clothing. As for Zuko im sure its just a flashback picture, i mean you really only see the side of his face without the scar so dont start judging now becuase u cant see the other side of his face ^^
Im positive that as the year goes by they’ll show more accurate details of the casting roles until they actually get to the movie. though im quite interested in how they payed attention to the detailed scenery, seems very avatar world-ish LOL.
I watched the series it was good trailer looked asome as for charecters, who gives as long as the movie follows the right plot
Thatnk you GOD! i was so happy when i found out jesse was out! I really dont want this movie screwed up! I’ve watched every Avatar episode and have played all the games (though tey were easy XD) I just found out about the movie last week when the trailer played in theaters. Im so excited!!!
Ummmm… ok so isn’t Aang supposed to be like carefree and funny? in both the pictures and the teaser trailer he looked a bit to serious to be Aang and his arrow is too non-noticable. i hope they fix that. I really can’t wait for this to come out.
well,its just a movie coming this 2010 (can’t wait :3 )
so enjoy it.
i have no comments about the character,costume,or any kind as long as that movie not getting out of the original based avatar animated series and if its does, lots of fans out there will be so upset.
congrate their work
I saw this as a trailer today. And was shocked.
It looked cool. The special effects were amazing, but the costumes are concerning.
To start with, his [Aang's] arrow bothers me. It’s a bunch of dots and not like a true tattoo should be. And second, his costume isn’t anything like an air nomad. More like…a COSTUME. And lastly [about Aang] He looks much too childish. Yes, Aang was meant to be a kid but he’s TWELVE. [11 at the start of the season] The actor playing Aang looks about eight. And I wouldn’t mind this because he IS cute and all, but the fact that he and Katara end up as a couple [and Katara actually LOOKS her age] Is a bit disturbing.
And about Zuko, yes, his scar cannot show in the picture. GET OVER IT. But as I recall, he has a lot less hair…in the first season. And he was a bit more pale.
I don’t like the cast in general, but thenagain who DOES? Its a live action film. It’s incredibly hard taking Anime to live action. But I do like Firelord Ozai and Uncle Iroh. Those were nice castings :]
This is disappointing! Zuko is ASIAN!! and so is FIRELORD OZAI!!! WHAT THE FLABBERS IS THIS? INDIAN AVATAR? I’M FINE WITH AANG BUT THE OTHER CHARACTERS ARE DISAPPOINTING!!! AND THE WHOLE STORY IS WRONG!! IF YOU READ THE PLOT, IT SAYS AANG IS 10????? 10????? WTF???? HE’S 12 PEOPLE C’MON!!!!! WATCH THE SHOWWW!!!!! PLUSSS AANG’S COSTUME ISN’T LIKE THE ONE IN THE SHOW OR EITHER PRINCE ZUKO’S COSTUME IS THE SAME!!! THE WHOLE MOVIE IS WRONG!! CRASH AND BURN!!!!!
Can you show me the other actors/actresses in this movie, please? I would love to see them and their pictures. Iwould like to see Jackson Rathbone in his full Sokka costume and Nicola Peltz in her full Katara costume.
I’m a huge fan of the cartoon version, and hold it in pretty high regard, so the film version has to be amazing for me to really appreciate it. But having Dev Patel as part of the cast definitely tickles my fancy, loved him in Skins
Can’t wait.
this cast is TERRIBLE!!!!!!!!!
NONE OF THE CARACTERS LOOK THE WAY THEY SHOULD, AND THEY DONT EVEN HAVE ANG’S SIGN CORRECT!
aLSO, DAV PATEL AS ZUKO HONESTLY MADE ME WANT TO CRY, THEY DONT HAVE THE SAME SKIN COLORING-BONE STRUCTURE ECT.
AND THE SAME GOES FOR THE ACTORS WHO ARE PLAYING SOKKA AND KATARA!!
OVERALL THIS IS A BAD CAST
@Kate
I have to agree with you on Zuko. I have no issue with Dev Patel as an actor, but I totally wouldn’t have chosen him for this film. Zuko was my favorite character so I’m a bit sensitive about all things to do with him lol
After catching the trailer today, I was disappointed that there wasn’t one, at least one sliver of humor in the trailer. Avatar: The Last Airbender as well as being a great epic story, was persistently funny. They could’ve made him sneeze or something & have the mountain shiver: “Oops.” Part of the series’ charm was Aang being only a child & still figuring out this life while having access to some serious firepower (or windpower) as the case may be. I’m not as fixated on some of the particulars, like getting his tattoo exactly the same. It was a cartoon whereas live action details can (and should) be much more delicate. There is something to be said for addressing some of the racial issues raised by fans. I’m not worried about everyone being “Asian” just because it was done in the style of Japanese Anime to begin with. That said, I sure don’t want just a bunch of honkies running around either. But, all (or most) of the people of each tribe better come off racially similar. Oh yea, and Dev Patel was a great choice for Zuko, so just shut up.
I think Dev Patel isnt the best choice to be Zuko. And i agree with Steve, there really needs to be some funny moment in the trailer. Aang/ Noah Ringer isnt really that serious all the time. I hope the actors/actresses look similar to the characters in the tv show.
Huh. I thought Jesse McCartney was supposed to play Zuko. He’s not the best choice, I know, but it was just what I had heard. My bf and I are very excited for the movie! I also want to see Jackson in outfit. I saw one pic on google but it wasn’t too great.
Where are the Asians? Oh wait…this is made for white america, like the last samurai was a white guy too. Wow, you guys rule.
In all honesty, I think if he must stay in the movie’s cast, Dev Patel would fit better as Sokka.
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