Avatar: The Lord of the Elements started this week as a fantasy series highlight on Netflix. The live-action remake of the animated series of the same name sends young Aang to confront the oppressive Fire Nation as a magical “tamer” of all four elements and thus bring his world back into balance. The two siblings Katara and Sokka also join his mission, while Prince Zuko, the outcast son of the Fire Lord, tries to capture the Avatar and thus restore his reputation.
Gordon Cormier, Kiawentiio, Ian Ousley and Dallas Liu: Netflix’s new Avatar stars in an interview about season 2 and more Moviepilot has the young main actors Gordon Cormier (Aang), Kiawentiio (Katara), Ian Ousley (Sokka) and Dallas Liu in advance (Zuko) to talk to them about their love for the animated story of the element tamers and to get insights into filming experiences. The four actors also revealed what they wanted for season 2 of Netflix’s Avatar.
Do you still remember your very first encounter with the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender?
Dallas Liu (Zuko): I still remember it clearly! I came home from school and the episode was playing where we meet Zuko: him training on his boat with other firebenders and Uncle Iroh.
Kiawentiio (Katara): That’s cool! I didn’t have a specific moment. The series has always been part of my life. Especially since I [2006] was born after the series had already been released. I had older siblings who watched it, so it was always part of my everyday life.
Ian Ousley (Sokka): When I was a child there were always reruns. I remember strange individual images from the series early on. For example [Luftbison] Appa in front of a red sky.
Kiawentiio (Katara): When I talk to my friends about the series, the mushroom cloud always comes up! The scene where Sokka drinks cactus juice. This is an image that is burned into everyone’s mind!
Gordon Cormier (Aang): I wish I had an interesting anecdote, but I didn’t watch Avatar until the animated series came to Netflix.
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Mushroom explosion and cactus juice in Avatar Season 2
Now that you’re part of the Netflix remake of Avatar, when you look back on the filming in 10 years, what will stand out as a memory? Were there any impressive experiences on set?
Gordon Cormier (Aang): Oh, I think of something! I had this incredibly sad scene. Our director Michael Goi always argued with us a bit and often didn’t say ‘cut’ at the end of a recording. So he took me through this scene where I’m reliving old memories as Aang and he shouts to me, ‘This is happening! And now this! And now this!’ And I’m going along with it more and more. But suddenly he throws this complete ricochet at me: ‘People are burning! People die! You see how this happens, Gordon! Children are burning!’ – And I completely burst out laughing. And everyone looked at me in horror as if to say, ‘Dude, what’s wrong with this kid!’
Kiawentiio (Katara): But our director didn’t take it seriously himself. The way he said it just made you laugh!
Ian Ousley (Sokka): That was so crazy. For example, he would say, ‘Think of a big steak burrito! Cut!’ [alle lachen]
Two memories stand out for me: We were on the set of Kyoshi Island for Episode 2. And all those scenes there were basically on one Filmed day. My fight scene with Suki was shot in about 30 minutes. We got three attempts for it. That was a very impressive, intense day. And besides, I will never forget the moments when I was away from the camera and the two of them [Gordon und
Kiawentiio] should laugh. I did the craziest things to get her really to make you laugh. Those were funny moments.
A question for Dallas: Several designs of Zuko’s iconic scar were said to have been tried out in advance. Were you involved in this process?
Dallas Liu (Zuko): I swear I tried! I am closed every day during this process [Serienschöpfer] Albert Kim went and tried to talk to him! Ultimately it was his decision. It didn’t work as I would have hoped. But at the end of the day, I think the current scar is still iconic and looks phenomenal.
Me and the head of our makeup team worked together to try to create something that an older audience could appreciate, but at the same time wouldn’t traumatize younger viewers. So no burns with blisters or a melted face.
The gruesome version didn’t even make it to the manufacturing stage of a rubber prosthesis. It only existed on paper and I knew for sure that we couldn’t use it: it was almost as if the Scar dug into my cheek, with holes in my face. That was pretty scary.
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Zuko’s scar in Avatar
If we get an Avatar season 2 on Netflix, is there anything like a scene, character development or moment from the animated series that you would love to film?
Kiawentiio (Katara): The first thing that comes to mind would be a few run-ins from our gang [Zukos Schwester] Azula. Especially the finale of season 2. I’m looking forward to that. Hopefully!
Gordon Cormier (Aang): Something I would really love, even though I’m not even in the episode, is “Appa’s Lost Days” [Staffel 2, Folge 16; im Deutschen “Armer Appa”]. This is such a profound episode! Seeing this come to life would be a joy for me! Although then I would have to watch my poor fluffy beast suffer.
Ian Ousley (Sokka): I think my answer is pretty simple: we have to do the Kakuts Juice scene [aus Staffel 2, Folge 11] do it, right? That would be great! And what’s also included: the underground library! I would really like to experience what it looks like, Wan Shi Tong Library [dem mächtigen Eulen-Geist].
Dallas Liu (Zuko): I think for me it’s the episode “Zuko Alone” [Staffel 2, Folge 7; im Deutschen: “Zukos Erinnerungen”]. The whole mental battle he has throughout the entire second season is, of course, fantastic. But this episode was incredibly important to my childhood. It was one of the first episodes that put everything in perspective for him and showed him that the Fire Nation might not be right after all.
Ian Ousley (Sokka): Even if you then have to cut off the ponytail.
Dallas Liu (Zuko): Of course I hope so too. [alle lachen]