SEATTLE — Beloved animated series “Avatar: The Last Airbender” is getting a live-action spin on Netflix.
Inspired by Asian folklore, the series is set in a fantasy world where people telekinetically bend elements like fire, earth and water. Twelve-year-old Aang is the last of his kind - an Airbender, whose powers can stop the Fire Nation from conquering the world.
The live-action version has a Pacific Northwest connection – it was shot on location in Vancouver, B.C., which is also lead actor's Gordon Cormier’s hometown.
“(My commute) was pretty easy, I mean I live like 15 minutes from the studio so I could wake up late, sleep in,” he said, laughing. "I didn't even have to leave home. All (my castmates) had to leave home, that's tough."
Aang embarks on his journey with friends Sokka and Katara, played by actors Ian Ousley and Kiawentiio. They behaved like siblings off-camera, too.
"He loves to get on my nerves,” Kiawentiio said, laughing.
Ousley added, “It's true. I hit her as many times as possible, relentlessly throughout the season, with the 'Oh my god what is that on your (shirt,) we're about to roll!’”
The Fire Nation's Prince Zuko (Dallas Liu) and his Uncle Iroh (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee) pursue the trio, bringing moments of humor and drama. Liu credits Lee with helping him navigate the pressures of taking on a well-known role.
"Naturally in our show, there will be certain things that are very different and obviously as a fan of the original series, I had my worries as well - but he walked me through it,” Liu said. "He was the best."
Fire Lord Ozai is played by Daniel Dae Kim, who almost broke the internet when a shirtless image from a battle scene was released. Kim said he did not anticipate the reaction.
“I did not,” he laughed. "I was watching a bunch of the episodes in preparation to the do the show and I saw that he had this fight and I saw that he was shirtless, and I was like, ‘All right. I guess I've got to get into the gym.’"
Longtime fans will notice callbacks to the original series, but the new version also invites a new generation of viewers along for the journey of a lifetime.
“Avatar: The Last Airbender” debuts on Netflix Thursday, Feb. 22.
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