Avatar: The Last Airbender is one of the most popular and beloved animated series of all time, but now, the show that ended way back in 2008 is being introduced to a brand new generation of fans in the form of a live-action remake.
For those unfamiliar with the new Netflix series or the iconic Nickelodeon animated show it was based on, the story follows 12-year-old Aang (Gordon Cormier), a young boy known as the Avatar, who is the only person who can control all four of the Earth's elemental powers and is destined to bring peace to the world. But when the powerful Fire Nation attacks his home in the Southern Air Temple, Aang runs away and becomes trapped in ice. After 100 years, he awakens to find a world out of balance as the Fire Nation continues to take over. Luckily, Aang has help in the form of a waterbender named Katara (Kiawentiio) and her brother Sokka (Ian Ousley), who help master the elements as they are hunted by the Fire Nation’s Prince Zuko (Dallas Liu).
From Aang’s bald head and arrow tattoo to Prince Zuko’s Ariana Grande-level snatched ponytail and red scar, the characters from the OG series sported iconic looks, and the new show is no different.
“Man, you know what else was snatched was my waist,” Liu says in an interview with Out's digital director Raffy Ermac, as he mimed pulling in the belt his character wears. “I couldn’t even breathe. On the close-ups, I would completely take it off and do my scenes.”
While Cormier didn’t have to wear an uncomfortable costume to play Aang, he says he was initially nervous about needing to shave his head for the role. “Before, I was really scared, but Netflix was like, ‘Well, Millie Bobby Brown had no problem,’ so I was like, ‘Oh okay, well, I guess now I have to be okay with it,’” he explains as his co-stars laugh. “But I did it, and I actually really enjoyed it.”
But both young stars were grateful for the experience. “It was a dream come true, and I’m glad the fans are so supportive of how much we committed to it,” Liu says.
One element of both Avatar series is the adorable hybridized creatures that populate the fictional world. From Aang’s much-loved flying bison Appa to a Boar-q-pine and Badgermole, they’re unforgettable, and the new cast agrees!
When asked what animals they would combine to create their perfect companion, Cormier said he’d want a budgie mixed with a rabbit, and Liu said he’d like an elephant mixed with a lion.
“It would be a bunny and a — what’s something that’s going to go with it? Like a duck,” Kiawentiio says. “I just picture the furry legs, but it has the beak.”
Ousley says that his two favorite animals are ravens and ocelots. “So like a raven ocelot, like running around, but it could also fly,” he explains. “Or, get this, a raven, like, grizzly bear. He’d be hella big with a giant beak and wings.”
“What are you guys going to use these for?!” Cormier asks.
M. Night Shyamalan tried making a live-action version of the iconic anime in 2010, but that attempt became infamous for earning him the scorn of critics and fans alike and a lowly 5 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. This time around, these young stars in the making are ensuring that people forget all about that disastrous movie and fall in love with these beloved characters all over again.
Avatar: The Last Airbender is now streaming on Netflix.