Picspam: Avatar Casting
Brandon Soo Hoo as Aang, the Avatar and last airbender.
I had seen his name floating around when fans talked about who they wanted casted as Aang, and to be honest, I SEE IT. He is adorable and he's not too old (and not too young) to play Aang. I think Aang needs a mature but also light-hearted portrayal, and I think Brandon Soo Hoo just has that right combination. He was so funny in Tropic Thunder but also kind of bad ass (and a little bit of a brat, lol) Plus, it doesn't hurt that he's excellent in martial arts. :)
Ayesha Kapoor as Katara, the Southern Water Tribe waterbender & Aang's teacher.
Ohhh gosh. She is my number one pick for Katara, hands down. I saw her in Black, a Bollywood film in which she plays a young, mute and blind girl. Think modern Helen Keller. She was AMAZING and mind-blowing. I mean, look out Dakota Fanning! 8D I think she could make it big here in the U.S. too, and it would have been awesome to see her in The Last Airbender film. Her English is quite good, and from what I've seen from her interviews, she has fighting spirit and intelligence, just like Katara!
Dev Patel as Sokka, the Southern Water Tribe warrior and brother of Katara.
When they announced Dev Patel as Zuko, I swore I could have just died. I LOVE DEV PATEL SO MUCH and wanted him to be in the film (because M Night and Dev Patel = AWEESEOMME?) But then he was Zuko. And I deflated. I could have forgiven Paramount and its fail casting had they just switched Zuko and Sokka, but ALAS NO. D: Anyway, I think Dev Patel would have been a PERFECT Sokka and complement to Katara. He's funny, sort of awkward, sort of a dork, but he's a cutie too.
Harry Shum Jr. as Zuko, the exiled prince of Fire Nation.
HAHA YES, THE OTHER ASIAN IN GLEE. I LOVE Harry Shum Jr. He wasn't the first person that popped into my head, and I was honestly searching for a good Asian American actor for a LOONG time before I finally thought of Harry. I think it was because he SMILED IN EVERY PICTURE, and you know, obv. Zuko is SRS BSNS AND CONFUSED all the time. But after some more looking around for Harry pics, I SAW IT. I think he's perfect. He's a terrific dancer, so I don't think it would be too hard for him to learn some martial arts moves. AND HONESTLY, HE WOULD HAVE A LOT OF SCREEN TIME, WHICH IS ALRIGHT BY ME, Y/Y?
Chow Yun Fat as Uncle Iroh, Zuko's uncle and mentor.
GEEZES LOOK AT THOSE PICTURES. HE'S PERFECT. LOL.
Ken Watanabe as General Zhao, the baddy bad of Book One.
Ken Watanabe was the first person that popped into my head and it just clicked.
Aya Ueto as Suki, a Kyoshi warrior and Sokka's teacher in Book One.
A lot of people wanted Aya Ueto as grown up!Toph, but I think she'd make a better Suki. If you've seen her in Azumi, you know this girl can be totally kick ass. But she's also extremely pretty and sweet. :) I don't think Aya Ueto can speak English very well, but if Bi Rain can learn, so can she. And Suki doesn't have very many lines in Book One anyhow.
Yuna Ito as Princess Yue of the Northern Water Tribe.
I saw Yuna Ito as Princess Yue almost immediately. The pretty eyes and lips, the beautiful dark skin, and everything just clicked. Yuna Ito is an amazing American pop singer in Japan, and I believe she's also done some acting work.
Zhang Jingchu as Azula, Fire Nation princess.
I know this is just speculation (maybe also wishful thinking), but I think she'll make an appearance at the end of the first movie. I was looking around for the right person to play Suki, and remembered the movie Jade Warrior and consequently, Zhang Jingchu, who is an amazing actress. She's beautiful, but she's got that kind of crazy beautiful look going for her, which is exactly what Azula is. OH OH! And if you've seen Rush Hour 3, she plays grown up Yoo Sung.
Cary-Tiroyuki Tagawa as Master Pakku, the Northern Water Tribe waterbending master and Katara's teacher.
I wasn't thinking of recasting Master Pakku, but since I was on a roll anyway, why not? :) Cary has just the right look and attidue for Master Pakku.
Mark Alan Dacascos as Lord Ozai.
LOL. LOOK AT THAT FACE. He's perfect. Somebody at racebending suggested him as Lord Ozai, and all I could think was, "YES. YES. THAT IS HIM, MOST DEFINITELY."
THE END.
Since this was only for Book One of the movie, I didn't cast Toph. OMG do you know how hard it is to find the right girl for the part? She can't be too old, too tall, etc. etc. ): If I left anyone out, it's probably because they're not going to be in the first movie (I don't think Jet is, I haven't heard any word whatsoever, but please correct me if I'm wrong. Maybe one of the Jonas Brothers can play him, lol. I kid) OR I'm pretty satisfied with the movie's decision OR I just forgot. :P
Hope you guys enjoyed my choices. :)
RULES
01. FEEL FREE to post these pictures wherever you want, edit for icons, etc. etc. I don't care. No credit needed.
02. PLEASE DO NOT insult the current official cast (including individual cast members & the cast as a whole.) I don't want my picspam to turn into a flame war.
03. DO NOT bring racebending into the topic. I am aware of Racebending.com and support it and I have an essay about it in my journal at another entry, but this entry is not about that.
04. PLEASE just focus on my choices if you can. :)
EDIT: Due to the influx of people from various communities that have linked to my picspam, I want to take the time out to say:
READ MY RULES. IF YOU CAN'T FOLLOW THEM, I WILL DELETE YOUR COMMENTS WITHOUT WARNING FROM NOW ON. DO NOT USE THIS PICSPAM TO ENGAGE IN WANK. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?