With production underway for the live-action Last Airbender series, Netflix casts a key character. According to Variety, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee (The Mandalorian) will be playing General Iroh in the upcoming series. Commander Zhao and Gyatso have also been cast.
In the animated series, Iroh is a retired Fire Nation general and a powerful fire bender. He is the older brother of Fire Lord Ozai and uncle to Zuko. He accompanies the exiled Zuko as he seeks to capture the Avatar, Aang.
As Commander Zhao and Gyatso, joining the cast are Lim Suay Kim (Nightwatch) and Ken Leung (Star Wars: The Force Awakens), respectively. Gyatso is a kind and caring Air Nomad who was the father figure and best friend of Aang. Commander Zhao is a Fire Nation general eager to leverage an unexpected encounter with Zuko for personal gain.
Daniel Dae Kim (Lost) will play Fire Lord Ozai, and Dallas Liu (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) and Gordon Cormier (A Christmas Miracle) will be portraying Prince Zuko and Avatar Aang, respectively. Kiawentiio will play waterbender Katara, and Ian Ousley will play her brother, Sokka.
The live-action series is now in production in Vancouver. According to Variety, Netflix announced that the series will use virtual production volume, similar to the technology used to produce The Mandalorian. A similar production stage is in use for Hulu’s How I Met Your Father. The stage was designed by Pixomondo Virtual Production.
Original series creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko were originally attached to the series, but they departed in August 2020. They recently inked new deal with Nickelodeon to establish Avatar Studios, which will create more films and series centering around the franchise.
The original animated series ran from 2005 to 2008, spawning a spin-off and a live-action film in 2010. A release date has not been announced for the live-action Netflix series.