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The Cast of The Last Airbender Has Been Released

Source:  Entertainment Weekly
Fans have waited to see how M. Night Shyamalan, known for his suspense films, would handle his adaptation of The Last Airbender, based on Nickelodeon cartoon Avatar: The Last Airbender. Well, some of their fears can now manifest in debates about the casting, since Shyamalan and Paramount have told Entertainment Weekly about the youngsters who have been cast in the film.

The group is mainly made up of relative unknowns, although expect them to receive the same kind of attention that Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Glint and Emma Watson did when they were announced as the leads of the Harry Potter franchise. Taking the role of Aang, the titular Airbender, is karate star Noah Ringer, who was discovered in an open casting call in Texas. Rounding out the trio are Twilight's Jackson Rathbone as Aang's friend Sokka, with Nicole Peltz (Deck the Halls) will take the role of Katara, Sokka's sister and a Water Bender.

It was also announced that Jesse McCartney is in negotiations for the role of Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation, the chief opponent of Aang.

The Last Airbender tells the story of the successor to a long line of Avatars who must put aside his irresponsible ways and stop the Fire Nation from enslaving the Water, Earth and Air nations. Based on the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender, the film is targeted to hit theatres on July 2, 2010.


24 Comments


December 11th, 2008 10:23pm
This is an interesting combination. Avatar is a kids show, and Night is known for the suspense genre. I think this could turn into a legit film- assuming they keep the original story in tact. I want Night's darkside to come into the story while still maintaining the child-like imagination of the cartoon. I could see this working out. Patience is a virtue
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December 11th, 2008 5:02pm
JESSE MCCARTNEY AS ZUKO??? oh shit, a buttload trilogy movie of suckness.. cmon, u can do better casting than that... i like m night, i hated lady in d water, but bryce dallas howard still is hot
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December 10th, 2008 8:59pm
Even Peter Jackson was a washed up writer/producer/directer before he made LOTR. You know that, right, wardragon? The epic scope of this story would be difficult for any practiced directer to foul up. The creators of Avatar wouldn't have come to him if they didn't think he could do the job. At the very least we'll have a change from his usual formula. On that I agree on.

Jesse isn't a bad choice either. Imagine his head shaved, with a long tony-tail in the back, and the left side of his face covered with burn scars. Who wouldn't want to see that?
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December 10th, 2008 8:38pm
R U SERIOUS!!! M. NIGHT SUCKS BALLS!!!! HIS ONE AND ONLY GOOD MOVIE WAS THE 6TH SENSE!! THE HAPPENING WAS FULL OF BAD ACTING AND DIRECTING! AND JESSE MCARTNEY!!! WORST CASTING EVER!!!!! M. NIGHT NEEDS TO DIE!
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December 10th, 2008 8:14pm
Hopefully this is good...but Jesse McCartney? Wtheck.
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December 10th, 2008 8:13pm
kool the guy does kinda look like Sokka I think we all agree on McCartney. and Hugh Jackman would be awesome as Zhao
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December 10th, 2008 7:59pm
Thanks for the link, black-moon. So far the cast matches their animated likenesses.

And for the record, this will be Night's first adapted film. It's not his story. So you Night haters chill. He's working close with the original creators. If Night does this Trilogy right, it will do for his career as LOTR did for Peter Jackson's. It won't be as adult oriented as LOTR was, but its epic proportion ought to be enough to attract the crowds, and, appease them.

Oh yeah, and Night is already writing the second screenplay right now, even though pre-production has just barely started for the first.
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December 10th, 2008 6:42pm
JESSE MCCARTNEY AS ZUKO?! You've got to be FUCKING kidding me!!!!! His only good acting role was as Theodore in "Alvin and the Chipmunks!" Yeesh! LOLZ!
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December 10th, 2008 6:14pm
really want this to work out
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December 10th, 2008 4:45pm
lol I kinda agree with ikilledbill XD
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December 10th, 2008 2:19pm
I like the feel and story to it, especially if they continue to go maturer. I don't like the casting but oh well. And YES!
Please Hugh Jackman as Commander Zhao. But they have to change a few names because Chinese names, white people, it doesn't look good.
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December 10th, 2008 2:12pm
i search for the girl hows playing katara and shes so different that i picture, i was searching for someone else for the character and others and this are my choices..
I like Noah Jackson i hope his funny enough to play Sokka
for Katara i have (Cory in the House) Maiara Walsh
and for Zuko i dont like the idea of Jesse McCartney
bob hopkins as uncle iroh and benicio del toro as his brother the fire lord ozai
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December 10th, 2008 1:46pm
I love the cartoon but Jesse McCartney as Zuko no get someone else. Also Hugh Jackman for Commander/Admril Zhao? No way it wouldn't work. My question is who would play Zuko uncle? I was thinking Jackie Chan but I don't know if he'd work in the role?
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December 10th, 2008 1:45pm
being a m night fan is like a job you wanna quit. but i havent quit yet. im thinking about giving my two week notice though.
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December 10th, 2008 1:42pm
I've never watched the show but I'm willing to give Night another chance.
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December 10th, 2008 1:32pm
im okay with these choices...i assumed they wouldnt make it an all asian cast. But after just watching the Dragonball trailer, i can help but worry that this movie might get the same treatment. I hope not though, cuase besides the 80's cartoons, this is my favorite series ever.
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December 10th, 2008 1:00pm
Jesse McCartney as Zuko?!?!??!WTF?!?!?!
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December 10th, 2008 12:42pm
Anything M. Night Shyamalan touches turns to gold in my opinion. I love anything and everything he does. This is going to be good.
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December 10th, 2008 12:36pm
kooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool
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December 10th, 2008 12:24pm
Unlike some people, I haven't lost confidence in M. Night, so bring it
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December 10th, 2008 11:13am
My daughter really likes the animated series, so it could be a good movie. Let's hope it is done well. Wonder if the film will be directed toward young adults.

TPOJ, I am always for Hugh Jackman, he is my favorite actor of all time. I could watch him sitting reading a phone book for two hours, LOL.
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December 10th, 2008 11:12am
great cast i saw pictures of them and the sokka guy looks just like him(well,at least he the best person to play him maybe)

EDIT:
pictures here---
http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/12/10/first-look-the-cast-of-the-last-airbender/
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December 10th, 2008 11:06am
You know, if M. Night can bring just... 20% of his dark maturity to the story and gloss over the more ridiculous kiddy moments from the show - we can have a true masterpiece on our hands here. The story is incredible, and the visuals, if given just half of their credit, will be like nothing seen in a movie. The only thing that makes me sad about this is that one of my favorite book series, "Codex Alera" won't be able to be made into a movie now - people will think it is too similar to Avatar... You know what, screw it, I hope they make both of them anyway.

Anywho, have no idea who those people are - it would really be nice if MovieWeb could place some pictures in here... you know, a quick google search wouldn't make it that hard for them...
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December 10th, 2008 10:59am
Hugh Jackman for Commander/Admril Zhao? Anyone?
  (Delete)

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