Leaks have surfaced on the internet regarding the casting for the Netflix live-action adaptation of the critically acclaimed Nickelodeon show Avatar: The Last Airbender. The show's first take on a live-action adaptation became dead on arrival when critics, fans, and the creators panned the movie for its wooden acting, M. Night Shyamalan's directing, and the controversial casting. Fans at first were hopeful for the Netflix adaptation with the creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko being involved, but due to creative differences, they left the project.
Fans continue to hold onto hope that the casting and adaptation will be better, and from what has been revealed, some are excited for the casting. Not everyone is pleased, as fans share their mixed reactions on Twitter regarding the possible casting for the live-action adaptation, especially with Katara and Sokka's choices.
According to the fan site Avatar News, the casting for Aang, Zuko, Katara, and Sokka are Gordon Cormier, Dallas Liu, Kiawentiio Tarbell, and Ian Ousley. There has been a lot of praise for the former two actors for being ethnically accurate and are the appropriate ages, especially for Cormier as fans stated that he is perfect and adorable to play Aang. Liu, while not exactly a groundbreaking name yet, has appeared in the Hulu series PENI5 and will play young Shang-Chi in Marvel's Shang-Chi And the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Some fans have commented that Netflix did a better job with casting so far than the live-action movie, and to their credit, they have a point since Aang, Katara, and Sokka were played by white actors, which includes Jackson Rathbone of Twilight fame as the latter.
Regarding the casting for Katara and Sokka, fans were mostly critical towards the latter's actor of choice, with some Twitter users claiming that they picked a white guy to play the comedic older brother of Katara again.
However, Ousley's background is currently not known to the public, and given the consistency of the casting, it is possible that he might have some indigenous background similar to Katara's Tarbell.
Casting beloved characters from the brilliant Nickelodeon show is always going to be tricky, and not everyone will be pleased with the casting. That shouldn't stop the fact that Netflix has been doing their best to be accurate to the characters' ethnicity and continue on with the show despite the animated series' creators leaving.
Some fans have faith in the actors for doing a good job, but there are still some rightful concerns due to a failed movie adaptation. We'll eventually have to wait for Netflix to comment on the details surrounding the casting for the Avatar: The Last Airbender live-action adaptation.