By Mr. Will Wong

Animated Nickelodeon series AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER left behind a legacy that is remembered to this day with a devout following. Lasting 2005-2008, the Series is now re-imagined in the live-action format, ready to be unleashed on Netflix later this month!

Synopsis:

The four nations – water, earth, fire and air – once lived in harmony, only to undergo upheaval. Hope lies in Aang (Gordon Cormier), a young Air Nomad — and the last of his kind — who realizes his destiny as the next Avatar. He and others in the Southern Water Tribe embarks on a journey to save the world from the tyrannical Fire Lord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim), all while Crown Prince Zuko (Dallas James Liu) is in pursuit of them. AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER is not only about the journey, but the many personalities Aang and his allies encounter along the way.

We were thrilled to partake in a virtual press junket with the Cast of this exciting new Series, which happened to be filmed here at home in Vancouver. Joining us were:

The Cast are asked what the orignal Nickelodeon series meant to them, including the Lead Actor Gordon Cormier, who happens to be Canadian.

Cormier: “Yeah, no, I didn’t actually watch it before I booked the role. But after I figured out what the show was, I started watching it and binging it, and then really fell in love with my character, with the TV show, and since then, I’ve seen it about 26 times. So, people could say I like the show.”.

Kiawentio: “Yeah, I grew up with the show, so I wish I had a moment that was like when I first discovered it. But it was just kind of like always in my life. I was born like after it came out, so [laugh], so yeah, but I have older siblings that would watch it too. So, it was just kind of like always a part of my life growing up. And then rediscovering it later when it was put on Netflix and just falling in love all over again.

Ousley: “The Last Airbender was something that I did watch as a kid before landing the role. And it is actually a huge reason why I started participating in martial arts. And as you guys know, like, you know, there’s a lot of bending sequences and, you know, a lot of the bending styles are influenced by real life martial arts styles. So, just beiing able to be a part of this has been a privilege.”.

The Cast, including veterans Daniel Dae Kim (Lost, Hawaii Five-0) and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee (Kim’s Convenience) are asked about their experiencing ‘bending’ on-camera and attending bootcamp for it. The method of Martial Arts, based on the Baguazhang style, involves smooth coiling and uncoiling actions, employing dynamic footwork, throws, and hand techniques

Leung: “Well, I mean, we didn’t see what it would look like until, you know, [laugh] until afterwards. So, I mean, for me, it was more about a kind of concentrated energy. And it was this choreographed motion. So, it was, I mean, it was that. It was like a choreographed, you know, it was choreography.

Cormier: “Oh, okay. What was the boot camp like? It was incredible, personally, for me. I was really high energy, or I am real high energy person. No lie there. But it was really exciting for me personally because I also really enjoyed the Martial Arts part of it. And I had so much energy. Like it would be so easy for me to go on and on and on, run forms back to back to back to back, and just wire work was incredible. So, I had a really good experience with boot camp.”.

Kim: “Can I just say that, you know, all these young actors here, they were running around, doing their scenes, prepping their work as actors, and then in between set ups, they were coming into the stage where they had the stunts set up and pads and all the stunt people were waiting there. So, there was very little down time for everybody. Their work ethic was exemplary. They were taking time that they didn’t have to be there and wanting to make things right. And that was really impressive for us OGs to see.”.

Lee: “Man, that was humbling. It was humbling because, and props to the entire stunt team, the coordinators, the fight choreographers. They really brought it and for me, it was an intensive like two or three week process where I had to go in and they would video, they would record each session on an iPhone.”.

“And I had to learn how to move, how to breathe properly. I’d have to stretch, which is something that become harder and harder as the days go by, right? And so, we’d be working these scenes and then we’d work out the choreo and we’d run it and they’d tape it and I’d go okay. And in your brain, you’re thinking I look really good. And then you watch the playback and you go, oh, no, I do not look as good as I think I am. And so, the patience of the team was tremendous. And when you feel you have that level of support, and from every source we felt we were fully supported. Like that’s what I loved about the experience was they worked with us tirelessly and they were always available if we wanted to do extra. Because they wanted us to succeed, and they knew the bending has to look right. In this world, for it to be believable, you have to do it right. And I love that commitment to detail. And as a performer, you don’t wanna let people down, either.”

“And it also helps when you have a prodigy who’s doing all the heavy lifting in all the sequences to just sort of like lean back and watch him do his magic. And all of them really, it is a tremendous privilege to see them do their thing. And it’s gonna be wonderful when the rest of the world gets to see them do their thing.”.

The Cast also are asked about the resources and inspirations used in bringing their characters to life in live-action.

Yu: “Well, obviously the original show. And I watched a lot of YouTube videos of the fans breaking down. And I think it was also important to note how the audience viewed these people. Yeah, and you know, we have the comics as well. I think that something I connected with Azula more profoundly with is this sort of place where she is where she’s a woman in power surrounded by a male dominated kingdom, you know. And I think that that struggle a lot of women can connect to and also the word being thrown around where, you know, she’s crazy or she’s insane. I feel like that is really telling for, you know, what women in power go through. And I think on our show, we sort of like stray away from that and kind of explain further into who she is and where she’s coming from. Yeah. I think I pull a lot from myself to be able to connect with her because it’s so outlandish sometimes, she may be doing.”.

Liu: “Similar to Lizzy, I also did a deep dive into YouTube analysis videos. But I really think our source material was research in itself. Every time we got scripts and things like that, because there are a lot of similarities, but also many differences in our show. And so sometimes, you know, when the circumstances of our characters might slightly be different, I think it changes that character as well while maintaining the essence of what the original creators had in mind.”.

“And also at the end of the day, because we are making this live action adaptation, I don’t think anybody here would wanna do an impersonation of these characters, of an animation. I think we really did our best in making these people real and allowing for everything that was going on in the world to, you know, be grounded.”.

AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER arrives February 22, 2024 on Netflix.

We get a first look today at some new stills from AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER, coming to Netflix!

SYNOPSIS:
Water. Earth. Fire. Air. The four nations once lived in harmony, with the Avatar, master of all four elements, keeping peace between them. But everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked and wiped out the Air Nomads, the first step taken by the firebenders towards conquering the world. With the current incarnation of the Avatar yet to emerge, the world has lost hope.

But like a light in the darkness, hope springs forth when Aang (Gordon Cormier), a young Air Nomad — and the last of his kind — reawakens to take his rightful place as the next Avatar. Alongside his newfound friends Sokka (Ian Ousley) and Katara (Kiawentiio), siblings and members of the Southern Water Tribe, Aang embarks on a fantastical, action-packed quest to save the world and fight back against the fearsome onslaught of Fire Lord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim). But with a driven Crown Prince Zuko (Dallas Liu) determined to capture them, it won’t be an easy task. They’ll need the help of the many allies and colorful characters they meet along the way.

AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER is a live-action reimagining of the award-winning and beloved Nickelodeon animated series. Albert Kim serves as showrunner, executive producer, and writer. Jabbar Raisani and Michael Goi are executive producers and directors alongside directors Roseanne Liang (also a co-executive producer) and Jet Wilkinson. Dan Lin and Lindsey Liberatore serve as executive producers from Rideback.

Premiere Date: 2024
Episodes: 8 episodes x 1 hour
Executive Producer / Showrunner: Albert Kim
Executive Producers: Jabbar Raisani, Dan Lin, Lindsey Liberatore, Michael Goi
Cast: Gordon Cormier, Ian Ousley, Kiawentiio, Dallas Liu, Ken Leung, with Paul Sun-Hyung Lee and Daniel Dae Kim

ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA retains the top spot at the Box Office this weekend with $30 million from 4,345 theatres for Marvel and Disney. Over two weekends, it has brought in $165 million in North America.

In second is a very solid debut COCAINE BEAR with $20 million from 3,534 theatres for Universal Pictures. Response has been great for this latest effort from Actor-turned-Director Elizabeth Banks, with a 71% on the Tomatometer. This is the second consecutive Horror hit from the studio, following big numbers for M3GAN.

Third is faith film JESUS REVOLUTION starring Kelsey Grammer with $13.5 million from 2,475 theatres for Lionsgate. It gets 51% on the Tomatometer.

Fourth is AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER with $4.2 million for 20th Century Studios, a total run of $664 million domestically.

Capping-off the Top Five is PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH with $4.1 million for Universal Pictures, a tally of $173 million.

Marvel‘s ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA debuts huge this weekend with $100 million domestically from 4,345 theatres. Though Critics weren’t in love with this first installment in the fifth phase of the MCU with 49% on the Tomatometer, that certainly isn’t stopping fans from showing their love and of the three Ant-Man films, this one comes out on-top for best opening, topping 2018’s Ant-Man and the Wasp’s $75 million bow.

Second goes to AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER with $6.3 million from 2,675 theatres for 20th Century Studios. Its ten week run takes it to $657 million domestically.

Third is PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH with $5.5 million from 3,012 theatres for Universal Pictures. Its run now is brought to $167.9 million over nine weeks.

Landing in fourth is MAGIC MIKE’S LAST DANCE with $5.6 million for Warner Bros. It is brought to $19 million in its second weekend out.

Rounding-out the Top Five is 80 FOR BRADY with $3.7 million, a tally of $33 million for Paramount Pictures.

It’s Super Bowl weekend, so those who are off to the Movies this weekend, really must want to see these releases! Of course, it’s all MAGIC MIKE’S LAST DANCE taking top spot at the Box Office in its debut with $11 million from 1,500 theatres only for Warner Bros. This final installment in the Franchise gets 46% on the Tomatometer.

AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER still is thriving with $6.5 million, enough for second spot for 20th Century Studios. Its run is now brought to $646 million in North America.

In third is TITANIC’s 25th Anniversary re-release with $6.4 million from 2,464 theatres for Paramount Pictures. Domestically to date, the classic has made $665 million giving Director James Cameron two films in the Top Five this weekend.

Fourth is 80 FOR BRADY with $5.6 million in its second weekend for Paramount Pictures, a total $24.5 million thus far.

Rounding this Top Five out is KNOCK AT THE CABIN with $4.6 million for Universal Pictures, a two-week tally of $23 million.

Could it be we finally have a new number one? Dethroning AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER this week is M. Night Shyamalan‘s KNOCK AT THE CABIN, debuting with $15 million from 3,643 theatres for Universal Pictures and gets 69% on the Tomatometer – the Director’s best-reviewed film since 2016’s Split.

Second is 80 FOR BRADY, bringing a female audience to the theatre with $13 million from 3,912 theatres for Paramount Pictures. The Comedy featuring a stacked Cast led by Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Rita Moreno and Sally Field, gets 64% on the Tomatometer.

Third goes to seven-week champ AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER, with $9.2 million from 3,310 theatres, a total run of $625.8 million domestically for 20th Century Studios.

Landing in fourth we have PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH with $7.9 million, a total run of $151.2 million.

Rounding-out the Top Five is CHOSEN Season Three (Episodes 1 & 2 ) with $8.3 million from 1,546 theatres for Fathom Events.

It’s AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER taking the crown again a seventh consecutive week! Earning $15 million this weekend from 3,790 theatres for 20th Century Studios. This brings its domestic run now to a stellar $620.5 million, its momentum kept-up with this week’s Academy Award Best Picture nomination.

In second is PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH with $10 million from 3,611 theatres for Universal Pictures. Its total run is brought to $141 million.

Third goes to A MAN CALLED OTTO with $6.9 million from 3,802 theatres, a total $46 million for Sony Pictures.

M3GAN is in fourth with $6.7 million from 3,628 theatres for Universal Pictures, bringing its tally to $82.9 million.

At the bottom of the Top Five we have MISSING with $5.1 million from 3,025 theatres for Sony Pictures. Over two weeks it has made $17.2 million.

For a sixth straight week, it’s AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER on-top again with $20 million from 4,045 theatres for 20th Century Fox, just shy of $600 million grossed in its domestic run.

In second is PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH with $12.4 million in its fifth weekend from 3,686 theatres for Universal Pictures, a tally of $127.3 million thus far.

Third is M3GAN with $9.1 million in its third weekend from 3,628 theatres, an impressive total $74.8 million for Universal Pictures.

Fourth is a debuting MISSING with $8.5 million for Sony Pictures and Critics are loving it with 82% on the Tomatometer. This is a follow-up to 2018 Thriller SEARCHING and it was made for only $7 million and it premiered earlier this week at Sundance.

At the bottom of the Top Five is A MAN CALLED OTTO with $9 million, a total $35.7 million for Sony Pictures.

It’s still all AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER, taking the top spot at the Box Office a fifth straight week with $35 million from 4,045 theatres for 20th Century Studios. This takes its domestic tally to $566 million. Unstoppable.

In second again is M3GAN with a strong $17.5 million in its second weekend out for Universal Pictures, a two week total of $58 million for the Blumhouse Horror.

A MAN CALLED OTTO debuts in third with $12 million for Sony Pictures, playing at 3,800 theatres. The Adaptation of the New York Times Bestseller, which stars Tom Hanks, gets 69% on the Tomatometer.

PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH is fourth with $10 million from 3,641 theatres for Universal Pictures, a total $107 million in its North American run to date.

In fifth is PLANE which opens with $8.7 million from 3,023 theatres for Lionsgate/Cineplex Pictures. Starring Gerard Butler and Mike Colter, the Action flick gets a respectable 73% on the Tomatometer.

For an incredible fourth straight weekend, it’s AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER on-top again with $36.1 million from 4,341 theatres for 20th Century Studios, for a total $506 million domestically.

M3GAN is off to a fantastic start with $30.2 million from 3,509 theatres for Universal Pictures. Not only this, the Horror starring Allison Williams and Violet McGraw, gets 94% on the Tomatometer. It was made for only $12 million.

Third is PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH with $10 million in its third weekend, a total $84.6 million for Universal Pictures.

Fourth is BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER with $3.1 million, a total $445 million in its North American run for Disney/Marvel.

Rounding-out the Top Five is Whitney Houston Biopic I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY with $2.4 million, a total $19.6 million thus far.