DISQUS

Davebaxter1989 · 11 months ago

Awful lot of honkies round here. . .

HAGE · 11 months ago

he needs to have some good material, have bruce willis and SLJ to accept roles! only then will the magic be regained. till then, the only actor worth noticing in his films would be him making a mess at acting.

Big K · 11 months ago

Although it is a show made for American audiences, "Avatar" is a show that delves deeply into the different cultures of Asia from the fighting styles down to the spiritual beliefs. I find it strange that Shyamalan (himself a person of Asian descent) would agree to a casting like this. Hell, shave the head of the kid who was beating Ben Stiller and Jack Black up in "Tropic Thunder", and he could play either Zuko or Aang.

Next thing you know they'll make a film version of "Good Times" with Topher Grace as J.J. Evans and Hayden Pantierre as Thelma.

dragonmum · 10 months ago

"shave the head of the kid who was beating Ben Stiller and Jack Black up in "Tropic Thunder", and he could play either Zuko or Aang"

Now THAT'S brilliant - Brandon Soo Hoo impressed the hell out of me. It's been a while since I've seen someone that young move that fluidly & quickly. Can you believe he's only 13??

Alericc · 11 months ago

Geez, another shining example of Hollywood not getting "IT".

Soul-Drinker-Katara · 11 months ago

I think the cast is terrible. I'm all for the casting of someone with martial arts background for at least one of the cast, but come on. Katara and Sokka are Inuits, they are both supposed to be dark-skinned, and have darker hair. And Zuko? Don't even get me started...

I don't think he can turn his career around. If the Happening was any telltale sign, the series that I and many others love will be ruined with this movie. Just like Eragon.

Arou101 · 11 months ago

Different colored cast? WHAT A TWIST!

TheParanoidAndroid · 11 months ago

Possible twist endings for this one: Aang was a ghost, all along; Katara was really the villain, all along; Prince Zuko's weakness was water, all along; Soka was the Symbolist, all along; or, here's the kicker, it all takes place in PRESENT TIME.

On topic, at this point, nothing can save M. Night's career....

Meepo · 11 months ago

Why is everyone complaining about the damn cast? Maybe Noah isn't white, no one knows. Plus there are still countless other important characters to be cast. As long as the actors can act and pull it off with a tan and makeup, it should all be good.

avatarfan · 10 months ago

Ah yes. Because sticking Jesse McCartney in Zuko's clothing, especially in S3, and then giving him an army of Asian soldiers is so not like putting Tom Cruise in a hakama and haori, passing him off as Japanese and saying that there is nothing wrong with the picture.

Leera · 10 months ago

Mmm-hmm. Because why go to the trouble of looking through the 14.6 million Asian Americans right here in our borders, or the 4 million people in the US who claim to be at least part Native American or Alaskan Native as of the 2000 US Census, when we can just snag some of the beautiful, default, normal-eyed white children and paint them any color we want? Because out of those 14.6 million Asian Americans, or those 4 million Native Americans, or hell, those millions of other American brown folks who wouldn't have minded playing a fantasy Inuit character, I'm sure not a single one could've acted as good or better than the delightsome white kids that they chose. I mean, after all, it's just not a coincidence that every time they want to choose an actor regardless of appearance, because they just want the bestest acting performance possible, they always somehow, miraculously, cast white actors as the final result. It's aaaaaaaall about talent.

Good to know that American audiences are perfectly content that our pleasant white kids and their make-up artists will always have plenty of job opportunities, and people of color will continue to pick up the ethnic typecasting roles of Kung Fu Master, Dragon Lady, or Native American Tour Guide.

Avatar · 4 months ago

Heard of blackface and yellowface. Look it up, educate yourself about the history of asian and other minorities in Hollywood cinema. What you are suggesting is...supposedly obsolete, but I suppose, if some people still support it then it still gets into movies. Sigh.

Meera · 11 months ago

Personally I'm so friggin tired of Hollywood pulling this kind of racist nonsense. Everyone's entitled to their own opinions, but for those who want to do something about it, check this site out: http://aang-aint-white.livejournal.com/646.html.

Hahahawhat · 11 months ago

Noah Ringer, a karate star he found in an open casting call in Texas, as the 12 year old hero, Aang. Nicola Peltz (Righteous Kill) will play his sister Katara.

Uhhh...is it just me, or is something wrong with that sentence?? Hint: It's not about the actors..
Oh, and it made me choke on my drink, especially considering how the series ended.

Elizabeth · 10 months ago

I was HOPING somebody else noticed this. I haven't seen the series ending though, so not spit takes here ; )

Amber · 10 months ago

Katara and Aang a re not siblings, thanks for that comment, I personally felt the same way, Adam Sweeney, if he calls himself a fan, would know that...especially considering what you said about the finale. Man, I wish there was a fourth season. There is a problem with the actors, though, I don't think they were cast properly at all, that "owl" guy from Twilight as Sokka, no thank you! Or the fact that Jessie McCartney looks nothing like Zuko. I don't think that would be a good movie.

TrueFan · 11 months ago

Meh... I Bet everyone here will go see the movie. Anyway, name one asian person that is the same age, as each character of the show, that could pull the role off? Again, don't judge until you've seen it. The childish death notes to M'Night, are a waste, when they no good and well, the cast will stay the same. So they may not be tan, or even use make-up for that role, we ALL knew, that the cast wouldn't be what we thought. And too be honest, I've gotten over the whole deal of whining and crying over the cast chose for each film. I Say, if they can pull it off, good on them, if not, oh well, that's life, we had no choice in the matter, their film is ruined and did not make the money they wanted. LOL

BoomBam · 11 months ago

Besides Jesse McCartney, have you've actually heard of any of the other white-washed actors that have been cast? What's that? You've heard of the guy from Twilight? Have you heard of him before Twilight? No? I rest my case.

Rukia · 11 months ago

It's an American made show. There will be, an American Cast.

BoomBam · 11 months ago

So? There are over 13 million Asian Americans in the US. Or do you not know the difference between nationality and ethnicity? Of the 13 million Asian Americans in the US, are there none that can act?

KATARAFAN#1 · 11 months ago

YOU know they never gave te person who was going to play toph in the action movie the last airbender i wonder who, whoever it is the makeup artist have to do alot of work to that person.

SuccessfulKoBro · 10 months ago

I am Asian American and I love White People.........get a life! Hell after Obama takes office, being Asian won't be as fun as you all think.

Dominia · 10 months ago

They got it right, you got it wrong in your re-tell (but it's easy to see why with the wording). Katara is the sister of Sokka NOT Aang. Katara and Aang are love interests...so you can see the weirdness. ;)

Adam_Sweeney · 10 months ago

I get that she is not the sister of Aang, thank ya. And yeah, I get the weirdness. No need to have a Luke and Leia moment. But yeah, we should probably focus on my mistype and not on the fact that M. Night Shyamalan is going to possibly ruin the Avatar story. :)

Anthony Alfonso · 10 months ago

Give the cast a chance. Don't jump to unjustified conclusions.

Elizabeth · 10 months ago

I'm just over this entire movie. Everything about it from the top down is wrong, wrong wrong.

KBATES · 10 months ago

Hahahahahahahahahahaha...
Arou101 and DaveBaxter1989 are F-ing HILARIOUS!! You guys almost made me for get why I was mad!!! I feel like people are missing something major, or maybe I'm reading the article wrong... they're casting Katara as Aangs sister??????? Can someone e-mail me and please tell me I'm mistaken...

lol DaveBaxter1989 you crack me up...

Rose · 10 months ago

I think M. Night will destroy the beauty of the Avatar story. The most horrifying new concept of this film, is the fact that Aang and Katara (the young lovers) are now brother and sister!!?? That will basically change the whole basis of the story; the power of Aang's love of Katara, conflicting with his love of people and saving the world. And what happens to Sokka, who is possibly the greatest character in the whole series? Katara and Sokka's relationship resembles yin and yang (another key Asian theme that has been removed) - They are polar opposites and keep each other balanced. If Aang and katara are now brother and sister, the whole 'Last Airbender' thing will be ruined. And if Aang is Katara's sister, then will she now be an Air Bender too? It's all just f****** stupid!

NativeFanGurl · 10 months ago

why? why couldn't they pick some other people that were more
fitting to the original "ethnic"/"asiatic" descriptions portrayed culturally in the cartoon series?! i'm sorry, but until i actually see this film and its quality, I feel disappointed in the director's choice for the cast. (no offense 2 anyone! personally, I love all the actors/actresses (supposedly) casted already...in the other movies they have been in!) :(
people, fans of the shows cultural beauty, DO SOMETHING! if we have to watch this thing, it has to be accurate. otherwise.....just don't bother..leave everything be, and watch the movie that n. shymalan badly recreates w/ a horrible cast!

JKDDan · 10 months ago

M. Night Shyamalan has yet to put out a movie that is even half decent. He will kill the beauty of the avatar story. AND he is contracted for 3 MOVIES!! one for each elemental book. AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
He needs to be thrown off this movie!!! this movie should be directed by an Asian director preferably one that has done a martial arts based movie. as a martial arts myself and HUGE fan of the show, i am hurt by what i hear. and this kid they chose as Aang is a karate student.... THE BENDERS ARE DOING CLASSIC KUNG FU STYLES!!!!!!!!! styles i might add that take years to master, hell even fake. the only hope i hold is that the two creators of avatar will not let M. Night Shyamalan ruin what they have created. and as you all pretty much know (everyone that has commented seems like a true fan) the creators are both white americans so.... i know hope.... ;'(

WarrenG · 10 months ago

I'm not sure that all of the characters in the world of "Avatar" are supposed to be Asian; I mean, we are talking about the entire world here, with different cultures and ethnicity. Aang very well may be white. Maybe all airbenders are white. But regardless, Sokka and Katara are obviously Inuit; even their culture was modeled on the Inuits'. And Zuko and Iroh (and from the looks of it, most of the fire nation) are obviously Asian. I think it's an extremely poor choice on the part of the producers, director and casting agent to white-wash the entire cast to make it more "mainstream". And Jesse McCartney as Zuko??? Give me a f***ing break. I think everyone making this film should be fired.

STWWP · 10 months ago

Hey! Just wanted to thank you for drawing attention to this issue -- it's been a little disheartening that so few media blogs have, so far, and your post was very cheering despite the sad sad subject matter. I'll be linking to it on our blog, just so you know. :)

We're trying to bring fans and non-fans alike together to speak out on this issue, as well as educating interested outsiders as to the nature of the show and why we're offended by the film's casting. Keep an eye on the blog if you're interested!

Any help you can offer in getting the word out would be HUGELY appreciated.

- Saving The World With Postage

Amber · 10 months ago

I think it was a typo on Adam Sweeney's part

Hammy · 10 months ago

Are they gonna use Karate in place for Baguazhang?This is an Asian cultred flim.

/facepalm · 10 months ago

http://aang-aint-white.livejournal.com/646.html

help change the cast! before its too late!

Adam_Sweeney · 10 months ago

Great point. It is sad that those roles are typecast, but it is worse that even those roles are now being taken by marginally talented white actors. I don't want it to be misunderstood that I am saying an Asian person should play the role because it deals with martial arts. I am saying that an a white person should not play it because the characters in Avatar were not white.

Adam_Sweeney · 10 months ago

Nice site. You're right, this is an issue that needs more attention drawn to it.

Adam_Sweeney · 10 months ago

In response to the mistake, I cited the source from EW. Here's the original print from EW.Com.

"After an open casting call in Texas, Shyamalan discovered karate star Noah Ringer and offered him the part of Airbender's 12-year old hero, Aang, an Avatar with superpowers who must stop the Fire Nation from destroying the world. Twilight's Jackson Rathbone has been asked to play Aang's pal Sokka, while Nicola Peltz (Deck the Halls) will star as his sister Katara."

Wanna hop on them and tell them they got it wrong? Sorry about the mistake.

No, I have not watched all of the Avatar series, so I can't claim to be a fan. Sometimes the writers on this site have to cover something they're unfamiliar with. So be gentle. ;) And on the bright side, I am less likely to be pissed when M. Night ruins this series for everyone. So I've got that going for me, which is nice.

Adam_Sweeney · 10 months ago

I quoted EW.Com and they got it wrong. So I, in turn, got it wrong. Either way this film may very well be awful due to this casting.

BMB · 10 months ago

I just finished re-watching the last season of avatar, and I can honestly say I've never been so emotionally moved by a series for the second time, when I heard there was a movie in production, I was actually quite excited...until I read who was directing it. To me, this casting choice is just the first nail in the coffin in this movie, and I wholeheartedly agree, this looks like another "Dragonball Evolution" movie, wikipedia says Shyamalan would stay true to the material but this casting choice is already denying that. I'm actually starting to worry that this 3-part movie series might destroy one of the best animated series of all time.
.... I mean COME ON! JESSE MCCARTNEY?!?!

Adam_Sweeney · 10 months ago

Or maybe she is going to be his sister and then M. Night will really piss people off.

Jila C · 5 months ago

They totally messed up the cast. It is soooo not reflective of the series. It's sad for the fans who followed the show religiously. I really don't think I'm gonna see this one. I'm kinda disappointed.

Coop · 4 months ago

I honestly think Night was told to cast the lead with a white actor. He might have thought it was so silly that he purposefully went overboard as a silent protest. Nothing about his past seems to justify his white-washing these roles.

William Watson · 4 months ago

I'm not going to see the film. That's the strongest protest that I can make. I've said for years that Hollywood is one of the more racist environments in our country, and here they are doing all they can to prove my point. I like putting this thought out there, if they think the Avatar series is culture neutral--because that's their arguement; then why don't they remove Asian Martial arts from displays of bending? Where would this movie be without it? Basically they say to us with this movie and of course the Dragonball Evolution movies that only a white kid can save the world. Your culture and practices can't be popular or validated unless seen through the eyes of a white person. I won't be seeing this movie. Instead I'll stick with my Avatar DVD collection.

Dani · 4 months ago

i agree
the casting sucked shit
and theres nothing else we can do about it
wow.........another good idea shot in the foot before it could really be something

Brian · 4 months ago

I feel the characters look white so why not cast white characters. Same goes for the Dragonball movie. It is also an american series