The Last Airbender (Avatar Live Action Movie)
Alright, my loyal viewers – have I got an update for you! You may not know this, but I’ve fallen in love with a recent cartoon series – Avatar: The Last Airbender. No joke guys, on my very exclusive list of epicness, this amazing show is very near the top, brushing shoulders with such epics as the legendary Miyazaki’s (Ghibli Studios) classics and, yes I’ll say it, games such as Final Fantasy VII (please, no violent mobs now!) I know, many of you may say I’ve gone mad… well, those who know me well will tell you I’m far past that stage. But seriously now, Avatar has all the characteristics of a classic. It’s got action (like, 5 totally different asian fighting styles!) it’s got comedy (Sokka is the worlds greatest comic) it has beautiful character development, wisdom that can benefit anyone, and even an awesome romance (oh, such a good conclusion to the series). It’s one of the few things that gives me chills and puts me on cloud 9 by the conclusion. But all that hype aside (did I mention you need to watch this stuff now?!) I’m here for a very special announcement!
-The Last Airbender; a live action movie-
That’s right, a real, live action movie based on this epic tale. Some info you should know:
- This will be a three part movie series, following the three Books of the Avatar TV series.
- It will be directed by M. Night Shyamalan
- Music will be scored by James Newton Howard
- The actor for Aang is the Texas Karate champion.
Some of you may be a bit skeptical about Shyamalan directing this film. I was at first. But creepyness of some of his movies aside, the depth and meaning his films portray is nearly biblical. Everything has some meaning, and no detail gets left out. Play this to the tune of Avatar, and I’m certain we will find a movie with nothing left out, and no nasty movie-made-mockery-of-book/original-cartoon aftertaste.
According to an interview with the co-creators in SFX Magazine, Shyamalan came across Avatar when his daughter wanted to be Katara for Halloween. Intrigued, Shyamalan researched and watched the series with his family. “Watching Avatar has become a family event in my house … so we are looking forward to how the story develops in season three”, saidShyamalan. “Once I saw the amazing world that Mike and Bryan created, I knew it would make a great feature film.”
Confirmed actors:
Aang will be played by Texas Karate champion, Noah Ringer, who got the part in an open audition. This will be his first role. (image is seriously impossible to find guys! If anyone can find a pic of him, please email or comment!!)
Katara is going to be played by actress Nicola Peltz. OK, so I don’t quite see it yet, but use your imagination! I’m sure she can make a great Katara with a little work! (P.S., my sister say’s with a little work on the hair it could work out great!)
Sokka will be played by Twilight actor Jackson Rathbone. Yeah, here’s a little snippet for all my rabid Twilight fans out there. Let me shout it to the world… JASPER IS PLAYING SOKKA IN THE NEW AVATAR MOVIE!!! (You think they got the message? Yeah, it’s worth seeing)
Pop/R&B singer Jesse McCartney will be playing the Fire Nation’s exiled prince, Zuko. (Yeah, I can kinda see that… I swear, I saw a picture today that convinced me they were twins, but of course I can’t find it now!)
Release Date(s): (USA) July 2, 2010
-General movie info (from – http://avatar.wikia.com/wiki/The_Last_Airbender)
On January 8, 2007, Paramount Pictures’ MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies announced that they have signed M. Night Shyamalan to write, direct and produce a trilogy of live-action films based on the series; the first of these films will be a faithful adaptation of the main characters’ adventures in Book One. The film was in a dispute with James Cameron’s film Avatar regarding title ownership, which resulted in the film being titled The Last Airbender.
Avatar co-creators Mike DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko have come forward to voice their opinion within an interview regarding M. Night Shyamalan writing, directing and producing the film. The two displayed much enthusiasm over Shyamalan’s decision for the adaptation, stating that they admire his work and, in turn, he respects their material.
…
Open tryouts for the part of Aang were held on October 18.
On December 10, the names of some potential actors were released. …
Filming will begin in Philadelphia in May 2009, and it will be shot in Greenland.
-Rumors-
To tell you honestly I can’t wait either! and I’ve barely seen the series!
M. Night Shyamalan will to an amazing job, he is a fabulous director.
JASPER! Whoohoo! And Nicola and Jesse seem perfect for the movie.
Oh baby.
Darkwood said this on January 8, 2009 at 11:31 am |
Did you hear about the HUGE controversy and “racial scandal” that was sparked because some people were upset that even though the characters are technically Asian, the actors and actresses are all…WHITE. I think the people they have chosen will do Excellently, thought. I vote Mr. Miyagi for Uncle Iroh, but I personally think that Toph needs to be a ‘nobody’, like a first time actress, to properly capture the essence of Toph….but it’s just my own opinion.
KT said this on January 11, 2009 at 2:13 pm |
Yes, as a matter of fact, I had a certain… how do I put this lightly? Moronic individual, ranting about how he was going to ask my opinion on that issue, but, oh wait, “no true avatar fan supports prop hate”. But yes, I am aware. And I’m also sure they will do fabulously. And, seeing as Toph won’t be picked till the next movie or so (sadness reigns), my sisters are going to Hollywood to try out for the part. Yeah, they’ll do excellent. And I’m getting I-love-my-brother money when they make it big, too. Oh yeah, I’m set for life. And of course Miyagi is dead… but he was never quite… big in the middle enough anyway.
Christopher N. Sagasaki said this on January 11, 2009 at 9:26 pm |
he’s DEAD?!… True, he would have needed to be fatter. And I agree with KT about Toph – it should be someone completely new and fresh. They’ll do great.
Darkwood said this on January 12, 2009 at 11:11 am |
I didn’t know he was dead… that’s sad! I think your sisters would do EXCELLENT!!
KT said this on January 13, 2009 at 9:52 pm |
I think M.Night chose the wrong persons.
First of all Aang.He has to be played by a teen not an adult.I think the perfect choice is Cameron Bright for Aang.
Katara…Nicola doesnt look like her.Katara is not white.She is brownish with brown hair.If Nicola can dye her hair to brown and get to solarium she can look like Katara a little bit.
Sokka…Jackson can play Sokka but he has to go to solarium too.
Zuko…First of all Zuko looks like an Asian(Japanese).He has black hair,slanting eyes and an unhappy look.He is really cool and looks like an emo a little.Jesse cant play Zuko.Jesse is a pop singer he is childish and he is blonde.Also he smiles a lot.Zuko is opposite.They cant make Zukos scar to Jesse because he is a pop music thing a sensitive kiddy guy.But Zuko always yells and gets mad.He can be played by a Japanese actor,i forgot his name but if you want;i can post a picture of him.
M.Night has to think again about the players.It was more good when it was just a wonderful cartoon.The characters in it cant be played by actors in real life.They cant feel the feeling of original AVATAR.
He has to change all of the actors and actress i think.Thats all i can say about the movie.I hope he will change Zuko and Katara.
Denise said this on January 16, 2009 at 11:25 am |
Of course, there is going to be a lot of controversy over this movie. I mean seriously, it’s the best animated series… ever! But haven’t we seen tons of pre-production angst around other movie adaptations before? (Twilight, anyone? …ok, not the best example… but still!) I think even though the cast may not be the best pick in the world, I seriously doubt a director of Shamalan’s caliber will mess this up. So just have a little faith, and we’ll see how this plays out!
Christopher N. Sagasaki said this on January 16, 2009 at 12:07 pm |
I’m so very excited, too! I can totally see Jackson Rathbone playing Sokka — even though he’s like, 25 or something and Sokka’s 15, ha-ha. I literally FREAKED when I heard that two of my most favorite things in the world–Twilight and Avatar–would be kind of combined in one! I’m so excited.
Although, I have to admit, I can’t see anything in common with McCartney and Zuko. Unless of course they dye his hair or something, but I still can’t see it happening! I’ve never really liked McCartney, like, EVER. And Zuko is one of my favorite characters. I’m certain that he’s gonna mess it up.
Well, the only way to know for sure is to go see it summer 2010. :)
Megan said this on January 16, 2009 at 1:23 pm |
Thanks for the comment, Megan! Yes, we’re on the edge of our seats here waiting for more news on this. I just really hope the composer stays true to the music from the series. SO good.
Christopher N. Sagasaki said this on January 17, 2009 at 12:59 am |
I check out the website avatarwikia and they said jesse isnt going to play Zuko,M.Night is just thinking of it.
Denise said this on January 17, 2009 at 4:17 am |
I don’t know if that site is updated, but I got my information from IMDB, and that said it was official.
Christopher N. Sagasaki said this on January 17, 2009 at 10:04 pm |
Avatar is an awesome animated series of Kung Fu martial arts and should stay that way. My dad and I have been watching the series for the past three years. He got caught up into it by the Kung Fu moves. he is a Kung Fu pacticionar of tai chi and five star and looks just like Master Pakku the water bending master. He can play the part well and needs a job that he loves. I also think Jesse Mcartney is not fit to play the role of Zuko. Aang should be played by someone with Kung Fu (ba gua) background.
Elise Wilson said this on January 31, 2009 at 8:54 pm |
Seriously what is the problem here, Katara and Saka are not white, they are obviously of a darker complection, and a decent bordering on native american. SO why the crackerjacks??!? It’s the casting directors, they are all soooooo racist.. but we’ll see when the final cut is made.
troy said this on February 23, 2009 at 4:49 pm |
Yeah, I honestly don’t understand why it is so hard to just pick an asian cast in the first place! But we’re putting our foot down, and the production companies have noticed. I just think it’s a matter of time before we start seeing even more asians being casted.
Christopher N. Sagasaki said this on February 25, 2009 at 10:16 am |
wtc jesse mcartine doesnt even ACT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
priscilla said this on February 23, 2009 at 4:52 pm |
Yeah Jesse isn’t playing Zuko anymore. He had tour dates that conflicted with the martial arts “bootcamp” they all had to go to. Wiki says that Dev Patel is now cast to be Zuko.
Aaron said this on February 24, 2009 at 10:42 am |
i heard that some of the cast got their parts by sending in video auditions of themselves so i was wondering where you send in the videos
amazingperson said this on March 29, 2009 at 4:41 pm |
Sokka and Katara have blue eyes. I know plenty of tan surfers (male and female) here in California that look like these siblings. (There are tons of biracial people here as well if it matters to anyone.) Who better to play water tribe than surfers anyway? And Katara can rip it up so that actor that plays her should be able to as well!!!
Water Shaman said this on April 22, 2009 at 9:06 pm |
I like your line of thought there! They definitely need actors who can do what the heroes of Avatar can do… and yes, Katara can rip it up. California is rather multi-ethnic, and yes, I do know many non-Asians (especially those tan surfer people) who look closer to Katara and Sokka than some random Indian guy/chick does. Thanks for the thoughtful comment!
Christopher N. Sagasaki said this on April 26, 2009 at 8:11 pm |
i’ve got a pic of noah ringer if someone didnt already post:
http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3013707776/tt0938283
he is awfully young… hmmm… and also on the wesite above, it has a diff actor for zuko… dev patel from slumdog millionaire
http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3030484992/tt0938283
ItachiElric said this on May 26, 2009 at 8:05 pm |
yeah dev patel is definitely going to play zuko. apparently he’s totally boss at tae kwon do or something, plus i really could not see them getting jesse good enough at martial arts to be as awesome as zuko is. just thought i’d pass on my information.
no one said this on June 9, 2009 at 6:00 pm |
I Want To Play Toph.
Her Character Is Unique
LinaBlacklisted said this on June 23, 2009 at 3:02 am |
>:( i seriously cant belive their casting jesse mccartney for zuko dude! that is not right! >:( grrrrr…
awsomeperson said this on June 24, 2009 at 11:42 am |
Well, they’ve actually already chosen the actor for Zuko, and it’s not Jesse, It’s this Indian guy
Christopher N. Sagasaki said this on June 25, 2009 at 9:31 pm |
I can’t find anything but “baby” pictures of Noah, here’s a link to him in costume. http://screenrant.com/key-characters-airbender-rob-9676/
BTW… Zuko is played by Dev Patel.. guy lead fom Slum Dog Millionare. Go to IMDB.com and you can find the full cast list.
Jenn said this on June 29, 2009 at 10:15 pm |