Netflix confirmed its casting for the live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender, as well as the creative team behind the upcoming television series.
The announcement confirmed earlier reports that actors Gordon Cormier, Kiawentiio, Ian Ousley and Dallas Liu have joined the cast of Avatar: The Last Airbender as Aang, Katara, Sokka and Zuko, respectively. Netflix additionally released its official character descriptions for each of the central cast, each one appearing to match the characters from the fan-favorite animated show.
Gordon Cormier's Aang is described as "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."
Katara's description explains that she is "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."
Sokka is described as "sardonic and resourceful." He is Katara's 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."
Zuko is a skilled firebender and Crown Prince of the Fire Nation. The description explains that he is "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 Avatar: The Last Airbender is being headed by showrunner Albert Kim, who is also serving as executive producer and writer on the series. Kim is known for his work on Sleepy Hollow and Nikita. Joining him on the creative team are executive producers Dan Lin, Lindsey Liberatore, Michael Goi and co-executive producer Roseanne Liang. Jabbar Raisani is set to direct an episode, as well as Goi and Liang.
Kim was reported as showrunner early on, alongside the series' production start date under the working title "Trade Winds." It is believed that Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender will begin filming in November, though no official announcements have been made with regard to production and no release date has yet been announced.
The streaming giant promises a faithful adaptation of Nickelodeon's award-winning series. Kim explained that it was his daughter that introduced him to the series. "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 went on to suggest that his goal with the show is not to reimagine it, but bring it to life for an 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."
Source: Netflix