Tim Hedrick is a writer and producer known in recent years as a big part of the Voltron: Legendary Defender series and motion comic. However, during his start as a freelance writer, he began working on Avatar: The Last Airbender until he was hired as a staff writer.
Hedrick's contribution to the Avatar series continued through Legend of Korra, which allowed him to help continue writing Toph's journey. Not only did Toph grow, but the character also made an impact on the universe with metal-bending.
When we recently chatted with Tim in support of his newest Fast & Furious entry Spy Racers: Sahara, which launched on Netflix yesterday, we were sure to take the opportunity to dig into his Avatar past. He spoke with us about why he liked Toph so much and how she contributed to metal-bending.
"I really liked Toph a lot because that's a character that I was a part of integrating. All the other characters were there when I came in. I came in as a freelancer halfway through and pitched a bunch of ideas. They liked it. When I joined the show, Toph was a character that came on while I was there, so I was part of the inception of that and how she would integrate into the team and grow and all that stuff. And so that was really fun, and to see her develop.
I mean, she was always a bad-ass, but now she can bend metal. I will say the metal bending thing is a pretty big development that Toph brought into the show. So that was exciting to create a whole new kind of bending that would exist. And then she would be the inception of that. So that was cool. And then, obviously to carry them on forward into Korra and see them grow up and change and all that. I mean, that was really exciting."
Hear our full conversation with Tim Hedrick (Avatar, Voltron) and Bret Haaland (Futurama, The Simpsons) using the podcast player below, as well as our previous conversation with Zuko voice actor Dante Basco (Hook). We've also included the trailer and synopsis for Fast & Furious Spy Racers: Sahara, so be sure to share your thoughts in the usual spot!
*This interview has been edited for clarity.*
When Ms. Nowhere and Gary disappear while on a mission in the Sahara, the Spy Racers must step up to the plate and finish what Ms. Nowhere started. Get ready to speed under the Saharan sun in the all-new season of Fast & Furious: Spy Racers.
Dreamworks' Fast & Furious Spy Racers: Sahara premiered on Netflix yesterday and can be viewed with a subscription.