Dec 10, 2008 by The MovieWeb Team

The Cast of The Last Airbender Has Been Released

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.

The Last Airbender was released July 1st, 2010 and stars Jackson Rathbone, Dev Patel, Cliff Curtis, Nicola Peltz, Randall Duk Kim, Jessica Andres, Noah Ringer, Seychelle Gabriel. The film is directed by M. Night Shyamalan.


Sources: Entertainment Weekly

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Comments (24)

  1. jjmusichit

    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

    3 years agoby @jjmusichitFlag

  2. Elessar26

    JESSE MCCARTNEY AS ZUKO??? oh sh*t, 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

    3 years agoby @elessar26Flag

  3. Diaigma

    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?

    3 years agoby @diaigmaFlag

  4. wardragon330

    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!

    3 years agoby @wardragon330Flag

  5. Oli

    Hopefully this is good...but Jesse McCartney? Wtheck.

    3 years agoby @reviloleeFlag

  6. ShadowfoxSC

    kool the guy does kinda look like Sokka I think we all agree on McCartney. and Hugh Jackman would be awesome as Zhao

    3 years agoby @shadowscFlag

  7. Diaigma

    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.

    3 years agoby @diaigmaFlag

  8. Vamp

    JESSE MCCARTNEY AS ZUKO?! You've got to be F*CKING kidding me!!!!! His only good acting role was as Theodore in "Alvin and the Chipmunks!" Yeesh! LOLZ!

    3 years agoby @vampire2000Flag

  9. ...YeahButTheBookWasBetter

    really want this to work out

    3 years agoby @theboywhocriedsequelFlag

  10. Clockworkcookie

    lol I kinda agree with ikilledbill XD

    3 years agoby @clockworkcookieFlag

  11. The Narrator: The Better Man

    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.

    3 years agoby @narratorFlag

  12. perezh3

    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

    3 years agoby @perezh3Flag

  13. torvar

    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?

    3 years agoby @torvarFlag

  14. ikilledbill2wice

    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.

    3 years agoby @ikilledbill2wiceFlag

  15. ed_wood

    I've never watched the show but I'm willing to give Night another chance.

    3 years agoby @ed-woodFlag

  16. phatalphd

    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.

    3 years agoby @phatalphdFlag

  17. RavenX5 God of Light

    Jesse McCartney as Zuko?!?!??!WTF?!?!?!

    3 years agoby @hackx9Flag

  18. IAmxVindicated

    Anything M. Night Shyamalan touches turns to gold in my opinion. I love anything and everything he does. This is going to be good.

    3 years agoby @iamxvindicatedFlag

  19. Darkness300

    kooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool

    3 years agoby @darkness300Flag

  20. T.Clark

    Unlike some people, I haven't lost confidence in M. Night, so bring it

    3 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag

  21. Shelley

    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.

    3 years agoby @shelleyFlag

  22. black-moon

    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/

    3 years agoby @black-moonFlag

  23. Atreus

    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...

    3 years agoby @atreusFlag

  24. TPOJ

    Hugh Jackman for Commander/Admril Zhao? Anyone?

    3 years agoby @tpojFlag

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