Save the date: February 22 is the day the world finally gets to see the much awaited Netflix live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender. As one of the world’s most loved animated series, many fans have long wished for a remake that would give the series the love and the justice it deserves. Lucky for them, 2024 is finally their time. Be sure to put it in your watchlist and binge it ASAP.

Released in Nickelodeon in 2005, the animated series captured the imagination and hearts of kids and young adults all over the world. As the story begins in the iconic introduction at the start of every episode:

“Water. Earth. Fire. Air. Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Only the Avatar, master of all four elements, could stop them, but when the world needed him most, he vanished.”

Aang (Gordon Cormier), who is ordained as the Avatar, goes on a journey around the world with his friend from the Water Tribe – Sokka (Ian Ousley) and Katara (Kiawentiio) – to master the four elements in an effort to bring peace to a world suffering from war. On their tail was the headstrong Prince Zuko from the conquering Fire Nation who was on a mission to capture Aang in a bid to please his father, the power-hungry Fire Lord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim).

Philippine Concerts got to be part of the press conference and advanced screening ahead of the show’s premiere on Netflix. This much, you need to know: It’s going to be a hit. They got the very important details right. We’re already super excited to see the whole thing. 

A day before the premiere, Gordon Cormier and Dallas Liu flew to the Philippines to meet with the members of the press. While the duo are sworn enemies in the world of Avatar, they are nothing but best buds in person.

Read on for a quick, spoiler-free rundown on the highlights of the day.

How is their visit in Manila?

Gordon, who is half-Filipino, described coming to the Philippines as a homecoming. “It has been amazing! I’m back in my homeland,” he said excitedly. He had not been able to visit the country during the pandemic and he was very glad to come back to see his family here. 

On the other hand, it was Dallas’ first time here. “It has been really exciting! Everyone has been welcoming,” he answered. Surprised by the intense heat outside, he joked that it felt like being in the Fire Nation. In our brief time with him, we discover that Dallas, quite unlike Zuko, is a very affable guy in person, and just full of wit. 

Who among the cast is most similar to the character they play in the show?

With a confident smile, Gordon immediately answered, “No bias or anything: definitely me”. Embodying Aang’s bright and pure disposition, he always spoke candidly, his words coming out with utmost sincerity. He was only 11 years old when they shot the series, and while that was a challenge, he felt like he had grown up quite a bit. 

Dallas didn’t choose himself. “Zuko has gone through a significant amount of trauma, and that’s very hard to relate to, so there are different points in my life that I have to pull from specifically,” he explained. Instead, he chose Ian Ousley (Sokka) and Kiawentiio (Katara), the inseparable Water Tribe siblings. Like Sokka, Ian is a protective older brother for Kiawentiio and Gordon. Dallas is close friends with Ian and is his confidante. Dallas said that Kiawentiio also has Katara’s older sister vibe – she is caring and she keeps her fellow cast members in check.

What was it like when you received the news that you got the role?

“Tears. Crying. Happiness,” Gordon described what he felt when he was casted.

At that time, Netflix executives asked him to come to a ‘getting to know you’ interview where they told him that they searched the world to find the Avatar, and that they found him and that he lived 15 minutes away from the studio. Unable to understand the hints they laid out, Gordon thought he was initially rejected. It took him a while to piece out the details, but once he did, he was so happy, he cried. While he did not know anything about Avatar: The Last Airbender back then (since he wasn’t even born yet), he studied up shortly after, watching the series close to 35 times over the course of the shooting.

During the auditions, the actors were given fake scripts with codenames, something which is usually done for high-profile projects. Dallas was initially told that he was auditioning for “Juno”, a boy who was desperately seeking his father’s approval. At first, Dallas was told by his manager that he had competition for the role he was vying for. “He is really handsome, and he’s such a talented actor, and he’s a better martial artist than you.” Later on, they tell him that he got the role and that it was actually for Prince Zuko, which came as no surprise to Dallas who was familiar with the animated series before. 

Just like the original series, camaraderie and friendship play a pivotal role in the story, and the actors also have definitely held this up. “You can see our relationship grow throughout the series,” Gordon mentioned. He also told us about the time he, Ian and Kiawentiio were told to wait 15 minutes for their take in one scene, they were lying on top of Appa (their furry flying bison friend), and they just stayed there talking and sleeping midway without noticing that more than 30 minutes had passed. Gordon felt that they were like friends, like family even.

Dallas also added, “Nobody really does impersonations of these animated characters. Each person (actor) brings them to life in a way that still feels very familiar, but you get to see real human beings interact with these elements and these creatures and this world. I’m really excited for you guys to see it, especially the fight scenes.”

Both actors were tight-lipped about spoilers, causing them to give vague answers to some questions. We can tell you this much, though: this new incarnation of Avatar: The Last Airbender is a must-watch for old fans and new fans alike. The 1st episode captured the essence of what made the animated series great: it has the drama, the suspense and the heart – It will be sure to reel you in immediately. We’re already excited to binge the series once it comes out!

Special thanks to Netflix Philippines!

By Sandra Laureano