Details for Netflix's live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender surface, revealing some major changes to Aang's backstory.
Since the departure of Avatar: The Last Airbender creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko in 2020, little news surrounding Netflix's live-action adaptation has been released. That changed recently when plot and character descriptions surfaced.
Purportedly acquired by The GWW, the descriptions bear broad similarities to the overall plot of the beloved animated series, but possesses major differences when it comes to the characters. Aang still must defeat Fire Lord Ozai and save the world from the forces of the Fire Nation, but his backstory seems to have changed: "Adopted at birth, Aang has struggled with questions as to how he fits in. But his loving parents have worked hard to make him feel accepted. Aang has grown up to become generous, kind-hearted and cheerful. Aang had also been gifted with an incredible mystical power. He doesn’t really understand it, but it could be the key to saving the world from a global conflict. It’s a responsibility he’s reluctant to accept because it’ll take him away from his family, friends, and everything he knows."
For casting, Netflix is reportedly searching for a South East Asian or South Asian male around the age of 12 to play Aang. Other characters are also mentioned. The streaming giant is searching for Native American actors to play Katara and Sokka, who will be 14 and 16 years old, respectively; and an Asian male around 17 years old to play Zuko.
While each character's personality appears to mirror their animated counterparts, there are clear changes that have been made. The story of Sokka and Katara's mother, for example, no longer involves a Fire Nation raid, but a mysterious supernatural event.
The description for Zuko, meanwhile, makes no explicit mention of banishment and his central conflict is stated to be one between his militaristic upbringing and his good-hearted nature. Additionally, the context of his enmity with Aang has also changed. The description reads, "When Zuko discovers he has developed mysterious powers and is competing with Aang for a key role in their project, Zuko's father tells him to stop at nothing to win. And if he doesn't, he shouldn't bother coming home."
Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko announced their departure from the series in August 2020, suggesting that creative differences compelled them to abandon the project. DiMartino stated on his Facebook page that "Whatever version ends up on-screen, it will not be what Bryan and I had envisioned or intended to make."
Earlier this year, both creators were appointed as co-chief creative officers of Avatar Studios, a division of Nickelodeon dedicated to producing more content set in the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender and its sequel series, The Legend of Korra. Alongside the launch of Avatar Studios came the announcement of a feature-length animated film, the details of which have not yet been revealed. Netflix's live-action Avatar series won't be released under the Avatar Studios banner.
Below are the purported casting calls, via The GWW:
PLOT:
A reimagined live-action series based on the award-winning and beloved Nickelodeon animated series ‘AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER’ which follows the adventures of the main protagonist Aang and his friends, who must save the world by defeating Fire Lord Ozai and the destructive war with the Fire Nation.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:
AANG:
Male, Asian. Lead Character is 12, male, of East Asian or South Asian heritage. Aang is a typical twelve-year-old boy. A bit goofy, a bit nerdy, restless in school, aways eager to join his friends for fun and games. He’s nimble, energetic, and quick in the schoolyard. Adopted at birth, Aang has struggled with questions as to how he fits in. But his loving parents have worked hard to make him feel accepted. Aang has grown up to become generous, kind-hearted and cheerful. Aang had also been gifted with an incredible mystical power. He doesn’t really understand it, but it could be the key to saving the world from a global conflict. It’s a responsibility he’s reluctant to accept because it’ll take him away from his family, friends, and everything he knows. All he wants is to just be a regular kid. SERIES REGULAR
KATARA:
Female, Native American. Character is 14, female, of heritage indigenous to North America.
Katara is smart, athletic, determined, and hopeful. She’s had to keep her family together ever since her mother was killed in a mysterious supernatural event several years ago, a trauma that haunts Katara every day. Recently, she has started to develop strange new powers that both intrigue and scare her. She’s looking for someone to help her understand these changes. But she has also started to find hope in the thought her new skills could lead to a brighter future for her and her family. SERIES REGULAR
SOKKA:
Male, Native American. Character is 16, male, of heritage indigenous to North America.
Katara’s gangly and strong older brother. Sokka is a teenager who’s forced to grow up too fast. Since his mother’s death, he had to become the leader of the famly. Which has led him to butt heads with his sister, who resents his overprotective nature. He’s concerned about her new powers, worried they might put her in harm’s way. Despite everything, he and Katara have a natural rapport, and they trust each other. He has a sharp, sardonic wit, which he often uses as a defense mechanism during uncomfortable situations. But it also makes him entertaining and likeable. SERIES REGULAR
ZUKO:
Male, Asian. Character is 17, of East Asian or South Asian heritage. In excellent shape, focused, and driven. Zuko has been driven to be an overachiever by his overbearing father; a career military man. Failure is never an option, and it doesn’t matter who you hurt to get to the top. Zuko has struggled to reconcile that philosophy with his kind-hearted nature. That conflict has made him intense and guarded; which is why he comes off as brusque and arrogant. When Zuko discovers he has developed mysterious powers and is competing with Aang for a key role in their project, Zuko’s father tells him to stop at nothing to win. And if he doesn’t, he shouldn’t bother coming
home. SERIES REGULAR
In additional news:
It's being reported that Jang Chol Lee will serve as a concept designer on the series according to IMDBPro with his previous credits including Big Hero 6, Tangled, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and Beowulf.
Dan Lin is listed as an executive producer alongside his company, Rideback. Rideback is responsible for some huge movies (predominantly for Warner Brothers) including the Sherlock Holmes movies, the Lego Movies, and IT films.
Albert Kim is believed to be taking over the showrunner duties who is known for working on TNT’s Leverage and Nikita. In addition, Ryan Halprin and Lindsey Liberatore are listed as producers with Rideback Productions helming the project. Rideback recently sold off another project to Netflix in the form of Parallel.
It's also being reported that Marc David Alpert was at one point producing the series too. Marc’s impressive credits span decades with him working on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Lethal Weapon, and Nikita. However, recent production listings omit his name.
IMDb also currently lists Ryan Halprin and Lindsey Liberatore as executive producers too.
In June 2021, fans learnt that Michael Goi is set to direct in the new Netflix series. Although yet to be officially confirmed, the accomplished cinematographer has worked previously on projects such as American Horror Story, Swamp Thing, Mary and Megan is Missing.
Production will go ahead in Vancouver, Canada and although has been listed to get underway multiple times, it’s now believed through multiple sources that production is set to get underway in November 2021 and run through April 2022.
The show is being filmed under the working title of Trade Winds.
Watch Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra on Paramount+ and Netflix!
More Nick: Nickelodeon Establishes Avatar Studios; Announces Animated 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' Movie!
Originally published: June 20, 2021.
Original source: CBR.
