Netflix's live-action TV series adaption of Avatar: The Last Airbender has reportedly found its King Bumi.
Actor and singer Utkarsh Ambudkar landed the role of King Bumi, reports Knight Edge Media. Known for films and series such as Free Guy, Pitch Perfect and Hulu's The Dropout, Ambudkar will step into the role of the eccentric Earth King of Omashu from the beloved Nickelodeon series. While the actor is only 38, his character is all of 112 years old. In the original series, Bumi is a nonsensical monarch who subjects Aang and his friends to a series of trials culminating in an epic duel to ensure he is ready to take on the Fire Lord. It is revealed in the episode's climax that, Bumi, in his youth, was one of Aang's best friends and one of the few holdovers from his life prior to being frozen in an iceberg for a century.
The news of Ambudkar's casting as King Bumi comes alongside other Avatar: The Last Airbender casting announcements. Toronto Inernational Film Festival Rising Star recipient Rainbow Dickerson has been cast as Kya, Katara and Sokka's mother, according to Avatar News. Voice actor James Sie will reprise his role from the original series as the fan-favorite Cabbage Merchant. Additionally, Community and Mythic Quest star Danny Pudi will join the cast as the Mechanic.
The main cast of Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender was previously announced, featuring a mix of new actors and established names. Younger actors taking on the roles of Aang and his band of friends (and one enemy) include Gordon Cormier as Avatar Aang, Kiawentiio Tarbell as Katara, Ian Ousley as Sokka and Dallas Liu as Zuko. The supporting cast includes Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as Uncle Iroh, and Daniel Dae Kim as series villain Fire Lord Ozai.
The new Last Airbender live-action adaptation's production has reportedly wrapped, and the first season is in post-production. Ambudkar reportedly already shot his scenes as King Bumi, which is fitting since the character only appears in the original series in one episode, "The King of Omashu". He is following and is followed back by many of the cast on Instagram such as Cormier and Tarbell.
Netflix's live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender has yet to announce a release date.
Source: Knight Edge Media and Avatar News