Uncle Iroh Casting and More Set For Live-Action AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER

…Then, everything changed when Netflix announced the casting for their upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender (ATLA) live-action series.

In some exciting news sure to delight ATLA fans from every nation, Netflix has shared the actors who are set to play Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Zuko. It also offered information about the series’ creative team.

When it comes to the actors, Gordon Cormier will be playing Avatar Aang. Kiawentiio will take on the sometimes-stern, though always kind, Katara. Ian Ousley will appear as the goofy yet heroic Sokka. And Dallas Liu will star as the exiled prince, Zuko.

On the creative side, Albert Kim will serve as showrunner, executive producer, and writer. Joining him are directors Michael Goi, Roseanne Liang, and Jabbar Raisani. The show’s executive producers include Dan Lin, Lindsey Liberatore, Michael Goi, and co-executive producer Roseanne Liang.

Netflix

In a release, Netflix also shared a little bit more about the characters:

• GORDON CORMIER (he/him) is AANG (12), a fearless and fun-loving twelve-year-old who just 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 (she/her) is KATARA (14), a determined and hopeful waterbender, the last in her small village. Though only fourteen, 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 (he/him) is SOKKA (16), Katara’s sardonic and resourceful 16-year-old brother. Outwardly confident, even brash, 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.
• DALLAS LIU (he/him) is ZUKO (17), 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.
• Gordon Cormier, Kiawentiio, Ian Ousley, and Dallas Liu join as series regulars.

All in all, it sounds like the new live-action series is staying true to the soul of the original show. But, at the same time, it is striving to bring new perspectives to the material as the franchise evolves. Past live-action ATLA outings have been less than successful, and we’re relieved to see Netflix share a casting roster that reflects and respects the Asian cultures portrayed in the show. Though beloved, even the original cartoon was written by two white men.

Netflix/Nickelodeon 

In a statement shared by Netflix, showrunner and writer Albert Kim reflects:

It also wasn’t lost on me that this was a world that drew from Asian cultures and legend, which is a rarity to this day and something I appreciated as an Asian-American father. That my daughter was able to see characters who looked like her on screen was more than just entertaining. It was a gift.”

He goes on to say:

We’ll be expanding and growing the world, and there will be surprises for existing fans and those new to the tale. But throughout this process, our byword has been “authenticity.” To the story. To the characters. To the cultural influences. Authenticity is what keeps us going, both in front of the camera and behind it, which is why we’ve assembled a team unlike any seen before—a group of talented and passionate artists who are working around the clock to bring this rich and incredibly  beautiful world to life.

We’d be lying if we said this news didn’t have us excited!

Netflix announced in early November that Daniel Dae Kim has joined the cast as Fire Lord Ozai.

Daniel Dae Kim has joined the cast of Avatar: The Last Airbender!

He will play Fire Lord Ozai; Prince Zuko’s father, the ruthlessly-driven leader of the Fire Nation! pic.twitter.com/R3mhadahjv

— Netflix (@netflix) November 3, 2021

The platform also recently released some more exciting news about the Avatar: The Last Airbender cast.

The cast of Netflix's AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER continues to grow.

Meet the actors who will play Uncle Iroh, Gyatso and Commander Zhao. pic.twitter.com/w2vZhDeRPF

— Netflix Geeked (@NetflixGeeked) November 16, 2021

In a release, Netflix further shared:

Paul Sun-Hyung  Lee (he/him; Kim’s Convenience, The Mandalorian) will play Uncle Iroh, a retired Fire Nation general and the wise and nurturing mentor to his hot-headed nephew, Prince Zuko.

Lim Kay Siu (he/him; Anna and The King, Nightwatch) will play Gyatso, a kind and caring Air Nomad monk who is the guardian, father figure and best friend to Aang.

Ken Leung (he/him; Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Industry) will play Commander Zhao, a scheming and ambitious Fire Nation military officer who’s eager to leverage an unexpected encounter with a desperate Prince Zuko to advance his personal goals.

Netflix/Nickelodeon

Uncle Iroh, of course, serves as an important figure in the story. Not to mention, a tremendous fan favorite. So we feel extra excited to see him crossover into live-action. Gyatso presents another interesting figure. We’ll be curious to see how much of Aang’s backstory, and the Air Nomad’s dark fate, translates into this upcoming series. Commander Zhao was more of a minor antagonist in the cartoon, but it remains to be seen how his role will change in the live-action.

Hopefully, the more we hear about this series, the more we will love it. We’re crossing our fingers to hear about Toph’s casting soon!

Originally published August 12, 2021.

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