Netflix’s live-action ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ casts Azula, Suki, and more
Netflix has finally found its Azula and Suki for its upcoming live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender.
The streaming platform revealed in a series of tweets on Friday that the newest cast members who are joining the project include Elizabeth Yu (All My Love), who is set to play the intensely driven princess of the Fire Nation, Azula.
The firebending prodigy and daughter of Fire Lord Ozai is described as a “relentless perfectionist” who will “stop at nothing to secure her position as the heir to the throne.”
Maria Zhang, meanwhile, will play the role of Suki, the intimidating leader of the Kyoshi Warriors. The fierce leader is described as an “elite female fighting force dedicated to protecting their community and upholding the ideals of their namesake, Avatar Kyoshi.”
Other newly-announced cast members of the Netflix-produced live-action adaptation include Tamlyn Tomita (The Good Doctor, Cobra Kai), who will play the role of Suki’s mother and the fiercely protective mayor of her small village on Kyoshi Island, Yukari.
AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER’s cast continues to grow: meet the actors who will play Azula, Suki, Yukari, Kyoshi, and Gran Gran. pic.twitter.com/pYx7cfhUVR
— Netflix Geeked (@NetflixGeeked) December 16, 2021
Yvonne Chapman (Kung Fu, Family Law) has also been cast to play the role of Avatar Kyoshi, a legendary warrior revered for her bravery, fearsome fighting skills, and uncompromising dedication to the cause of justice.
Lastly, Casey Camp-Horinek (Barking Water, Reservation Dogs) will play as Gran Gran, Katara and Sokka’s grandmother and the compassionate and wise matriarch of the Southern Water Tribe.
The newest additions will join previously announced cast members Gordon Cormier (Aang), Kiawentiio (Katara), Ian Ousley (Sokka), Dallas Liu (Zuko), and Daniel Dae Kim (Fire Lord Ozai).
The highly-awaited Netflix series, which is currently in production in Vancouver, is yet to reveal a release date.
First announced three years ago, the live-action adaption of the popular cartoon series from Nickelodeon encountered some production problems in 2020 after Avatar creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko decided to walk away from the project upon realizing that they couldn’t control the “creative direction” of the series.
Despite their departure, DiMartino and Konietzko will still be working on the world of Avatar after they both joined Nickelodeon's Avatar Studios as co-chief creative officers. The network announced last February that the newly formed division will create anime programs and movies based on the beloved series.
Series executive producer and writer Albert Kim (Sleepy Hollow, Nikita) previously explained his vision for the upcoming live-action adaptation, saying that the project "would establish a new benchmark in representation and bring in a whole new generation of fans," Kim said. "This was a chance to showcase Asian and Indigenous characters as living, breathing people. Not just in a cartoon, but in a world that truly exists, very similar to the one we live in."
Avatar: The Last Airbender first debuted on Nickelodeon in 2005 and aired until 2008 for a total of three seasons. The series follows the story of Aang, the last airbender and his quest to master the elements of water, earth, fire, and air.
All three seasons of Avatar: The Last Airbender are now streaming on Netflix.