Last Airbender’s Live-Action Iroh Actor Has High Praise For Co-Stars

The young talent featured in Netflix’s upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender series has been praised by actor Paul Sun-Hyung Lee. The live-action Avatar adaptation was first revealed by the popular streaming service in 2018.

The show follows the dangerous quest of twelve-year-old Aang to fulfil his destiny as the current Avatar; and bring peace to a war-torn world, based on the original Nickelodeon animated series of the same name. Following the series’ conclusion in 2008, it has profited from the advent of streaming services; which has helped it reach a wider audience and rekindled interest.

Following the departure of original series creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko due to creative disputes last year; Netflix hired Albert Kim to serve as Avatar’s new showrunner. Despite considerable fan pessimism about the leadership transition, the show has progressed past the development stage; with production on Avatar: The Last Airbender now underway. Gordon Cormier, Kiawentiio, Ian Ousley, Dallas Liu; and Daniel Dae Kim round out the cast for this remake.

Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, who plays Zuko’s wise uncle Iroh; praised the praises of every young actor chosen to feature in the live-action adaption in a Livestream ahead of his first day of production. He expresses his delight at being a part of it, adding that correct representation was crucial and that casting seems to have been well considered. When characterizing the impressions made on him by his co-stars; he uses words like “reveal” and “crafted.” Below is Lee’s complete remark about the show and its brilliant cast:

“When you see a wall of faces that look like your own, it’s amazing and with something like Airbender, you can’t go any other way. There’s that deep consideration when it comes to casting and everybody that’s up on that wall too, it’s not just because of the color of their skin. They’re all accomplished actors, it’s incredible. Gordon Cormier who’s playing Aang, he is a revelation. The actress Kiawentiio who plays Katara, is a crafted actress. Ian Ousley who’s playing Sokka, he’s going to steal every scene he’s in. And Dallas Liu playing Zuko, I am so looking forward to working with him. We had a rehearsal today and he just blew me away. There’s going to be an incredible amount of heart, fun, and excitement to this series and I think the fans are going to love it.”

Fans of the original who hoped for a more culturally relevant adaptation were concerned about the lack of diversity in the cast. The Last Airbender, a 2010 film, is still known for its whitewashing and racial miscasting. Unlike the first attempt at the live-action format; which was widely panned by both fans and critics for this decision; as well as M. Night Shyamalan’s direction, a second try at the format comes with the purpose of remaining faithful to its source.

Lee’s impressions of his young co-stars could also provide something to look forward to for those who are tired of their newcomer status. Fans are ultimately who producers want to satisfy when dealing with something as revered and long-lasting as this. They’ve been hoping for a sneak peek at the next series after the poor film adaptation.

There’s no questioning the original’s importance; in fact, fans have taken to social media to defend it as the best Nickelodeon show and the best-animated show of all time. Expect Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender to maintain its rising popularity ahead of its expected 2022 release date, with construction on the remake already begun.