We first heard about Netflix's plans for a live-action adaptation of beloved Nickelodeon animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender way back in 2018, and updates have been few and far between since. However, the streamer has finally announced the show's principal cast and creative team.
Original series creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko were on board, but parted ways with the project following creative differences. Albert Kim (Sleepy Hollow, Nikita) has now been tapped to take over as showrunner, and will serve as the central writer and exec producer alongside Dan Lin (The Lego Movie, Aladdin), Lindsey Liberatore (Walker) and Michael Goi (Swamp Thing). Roseanne Liang will direct along with Goi and Jabbar Raisani.
As for the cast, Gordon Cormier (The Stand) will play Aang, "a 12-year-old who happens to be the Avatar, master of all four elements and the keeper of balance and peace in the world. An airbending prodigy, Aang is a reluctant hero, struggling to deal with the burden of his duties while still holding on to his adventurous and playful nature."
Kiawentiio (Rutherford Falls) will portray Katara, "a determined and hopeful waterbender, the last in her small village. Though only 14, she’s already endured great personal tragedy, which has held her back from rising to her true potential, though it’s never dimmed her warm and caring spirit."
Ian Ousley (Physical) is set to play Sokka, "Katara’s resourceful 16-year-old brother who is outwardly confident and he takes his responsibility as the leader of his tribe seriously, despite his inner doubts over his warrior skills … doubts that he masks with his wit and deadpan sense of humor."
And finally, Dallas Liu (Shang-Chi, Pen15) will take on the role of Zuko, "a skilled firebender and the intense and guarded Crown Prince of the Fire Nation. Currently roaming the world in exile, he’s on an obsessive quest to capture the Avatar because he believes that is the only way to reclaim his life and live up to the demands of his cruel and controlling father, the Fire Lord."
"Netflix’s format meant we had an opportunity to reimagine a story that had originally been told in self-contained half-hour episodes as an ongoing serialized narrative," said Kim in a blog post (via THR). "That meant story points and emotional arcs we’d loved in the original could be given even more room to breathe and grow."
"A live-action version would establish a new benchmark in representation and bring in a whole new generation of fans. This was a chance to showcase Asian and Indigenous characters as living, breathing people. Not just in a cartoon, but in a world that truly exists, very similar to the one we live in."
Old director M. Night Shyamalan infamously attempted a live-action feature back in 2010 which was universally panned by fans and critics, so here's hoping Netflix's take finds more success. There is also a new Avatar animated movie coming to theaters, which you can find more details on here.