Live-action series adaptation of the widely popular animated TV series finds home at Netflix
Avatar: The Last Airbender is an upcoming action-fantasy TV series developed by Albert Kim for Netflix. It serves as the live-action adaptation of the beloved Nickelodeon animated series of the same name created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. The original creators were initially set to be the showrunners of the live-action TV adaptation, however creative differences ultimately led to them departing the project with Albert Kim taking over as showrunner. Kim’s previous TV show credits include Sleepy Hollow and Nikita.
Avatar: The Last Airbender consists of eight one-hour long episodes with the show’s budget being upwards of $15 million for each episode. Michael Goi directs the first two episodes of the series after having previously directed Megan Is Missing and a number of episodes of American Horror Story. He also executive produces the series along with Kim, Dan Lin, Lindsey Liberatore and Roseanne Liang. M. Night Shyamalan previously directed a live-action film adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender in 2010. It is widely considered one of the worst films of all time so there is understandably some hesitation present with this Netflix series.
The main cast of the series features Gordon Cormier in the lead role of Avatar Aang. Kiawentiio portrays the character of Katara who hails from the Southern Water Tribe. She is a resilient and empathetic waterbender who trusts in Team Avatar's ability to restore peace to the world. Ian Ousley plays the role of Sokka, Katara's older brother, who is quick-witted and resourceful but lacks any bending abilities, making him a lovable underdog. Dallas Liu portrays Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation, who is tasked with capturing the Avatar on behalf of his father, the Fire Lord, placing a significant burden on his shoulders. Daniel Dae Kim is Fire Lord Ozai, Zuko's tyrannical father while Ken Leung portrays Commander Zhao, a disgraced Fire Nation naval officer and Zuko's main rival. Kim has lent his voice to the Avatar franchise on several occasions including his portrayal of General Fong in Book 2 of The Last Airbender and Hiroshi Sato in The Legend of Korra.
The supporting cast includes Maria Zhang as Suki, Paul Sun-Hyung as Uncle Iroh, Elizabeth Yu as Azula, Momona Tamada as Ty Lee, Thalia Tran as Mei, Lim Kay Siu as Monk Gyatso, and Ken Leung as Commander Zhao. Other notable actors in the show are Amber Midthunder as Princess Yue, Tamlyn Tomita as Yukari, Yvonne Chapman as Avatar Kyoshi, Casey Camp-Horinek as Gran Gran, Arden Cho as June, A Martinez as Master Pakku, Nathaniel Arcand as Chief Arnook, Meegwun Fairbrother as Avatar Kuruk, Utkarsh Ambudkar as King Bumi, Danny Pudi as The Mechanist, Lucian-River Chauhan as Teo, Ruy Iskandar as Lt. Jee, Hiro Kanagawa as Fire Lord Sozin, C.S. Lee as Avatar Roku, François Chau as The Great Sage, Ryan Mah as Lt. Dang, Randall Duk Kim as Wan Shi Tong and George Takei as Koh, the Face Stealer.