Netflix has announced some of the stars of its upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender live-action remake, and fans may recognize the cast from their past work. The upcoming series went through some creative reworking after the departure of original show creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino in 2020, both of whom are now back at Nickelodeon leading the recently formed Avatar Studios. However, due to the prior licensing deal with Netflix, the live-action Avatar remake is still on the way as well.
The live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender remake was first announced by Netflix in 2018, with intending production start in 2019. Those plans were thrown off severely by the coronavirus pandemic, and later by the departures of Konietzko and DiMartino, who cited irreconcilable creative differences with Netflix as the reason for their exodus. For nearly a year there was very little news on the project, but Netflix finally come forward with some additional details on the new production, which will be led by Albert Kim, Dan Lin, Lindsey Liberatore, Michael Goi, and Roseanne Liang.
Casting announcements for the main roles of Aang, Katara, Sokka and Zuko have also been announced. The remake will feature a young cast with an already impressive collective resume, which bodes well for the final product. Here’s who’s playing the characters in Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender remake and where you know them from.
Gordon Cormier As Aang
Gordon Cormier will play the leading role of Aang in the Netflix Avatar remake. Cormier is best known for his role in the Paramount+ original series The Stand, in which he plays Joe. Cormier has also appeared in shows like Netflix’s Lost in Space and Two Sentence Horror Stories. Playing Aang will surely be a big breakout role for the young star, and it should be exciting to see where he takes the beloved character, originally voiced by Zach Tyler Eisen.
Kiawentiio Tarbell As Katara
Yougn star Kiawentiio will play Katara in the live-action Avatar remake. Kiawentiio is best known for her starring role in the film Beans, and for playing Maya Thomas in Rutherford Falls and Ka'kwet in Anne with an E. Good Girls star Mae Whitman voiced Katara in the original Nickelodeon series, and the mantle will now be passed to Kiawentiio on Netflix.
Ian Ousley As Sokka
Katara’s older brother, Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe, will be played by Ian Ousley in the Netflix remake. Ousley has played a number of characters on different television shows, including Zeke in Physical, Robby in 13 Reasons Why, Bodhi in Big Shot, and Jeremy in Young Sheldon. He will take over the role original played by comedian Jack De Sena in the original Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Dallas Liu As Zuko
Fire Nation royal Prince Zuko will be played in the live-action Avatar remake by Dallas Liu. Liu will be most recognizable to fans of the Hulu comedy Pen15, in which he plays Maya’s older brother Shuji. His other roles include Taylor King in Players, Bruce Lee in The Who Was? Show, Carter in Legendary Dudas, and an upcoming role in the MCU's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Zuko was originally played by Dante Basco in Avatar: The Last Airbender.