Netflix’s live-action series adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender has wrapped production after over seven months of shooting in Vancouver, Canada. In celebration of the production wrap, series star Gordon Cormier shared a behind the scenes photo on Instagram, which features himself with other series stars Dallas Liu, Kiawentiio Tarbell, and Ian Ousley.
Cormier plays Aang, “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.”
Liu plays Zuko, “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.”
Tarbell plays Katara, “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.”
Ousley plays Sokka, “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.”
The creative team behind the series includes Albert Kim (Sleepy Hollow), who is writing the series and acting as showrunner. Kim will also executive produce the show alongside Dan Lin, Lindsey Liberatore, Michael Goi, and Roseanne Liang. The directors of the series include Jabar Raisani, Goi, and Liang.
There’s no premiere date set yet, but like many of you, I’m curious to see how this adaptation turns out. When previously talking about the series, actor Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, who is playing Iroh of the Fire Nation, the uncle to Prince Zuko who watches out for his banished nephew, he said that this adaptation is going to be deeper and more mature:
“Let’s be frank, the first season of the animated series was geared toward little kids, but as the books went on, the themes became way more mature and you still have that whimsical quality, but the themes were so much deeper and the character arcs were so much more mature. That quality is what they’re trying to bring into the first season.”
Are you looking forward to this live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender? regardless of how the series turns out, there’s no doubt that these young actors had a blast making it!