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by Matt Goldberg Posted:January 25th, 2010 at 11:53 am
M. Night Shyamalan’s upcoming and slightly racist-looking, The Last Airbender, has two new character banners with one featuring the hero, Aang (Noah Ringer) and the other with the (apparent) villain Zuko (Dev Patel). As you’ll see Aang is white as the driven snow and Zuko, not so much. And if you’re wondering if all of my Last Airbender stories will harp on the racial aspect, the answer is, “Yeah, probably.” Shyamalan has taken an acclaimed animated show featuring characters of various East Asian descent and made all the heroes white while the villain gets to be played by a (great) Indian actor. This is particularly bizarre since Shyamalan is, you know, Indian. So unless he’s planning a twist where it turns out all the good guys were villains and all the villains are good guys, he’s making a movie that may not be as dumb as The Happening (that’s a really tough bar to clear), but could be a much bigger middle finger to fans of the show, fans who are mostly kids. Maybe those kids won’t care about the whitewashing, and hey, is it really so important that kids who aren’t white have heroes they can identify with? Who doesn’t like white people?
Hit the jump to check out both character banners along with the official synopsis. Presumably, we’ll eventually be getting two more featuring the other major characters, Katara (Nicola Peltz) and Sokka (Jackson Rathbone). The Last Airbender hits theaters on July 2nd. I hope it’s not as racist as it looks.
Posters come courtesy of Yahoo! Movies.
For those just tuning in, here’s the official synopsis:
Air, Water, Earth, Fire. Four nations tied by destiny when the Fire Nation launches a brutal war against the others. A century has passed with no hope in sight to change the path of this destruction. Caught between combat and courage, Aang (Noah Ringer) discovers he is the lone Avatar with the power to manipulate all four elements. Aang teams with Katara (Nicola Peltz), a Waterbender, and her brother, Sokka (Jackson Rathbone), to restore balance to their war-torn world.
Based on the hugely successful Nickelodeon animated TV series, the live-action feature film “The Last Airbender” is the opening chapter in Aang’s struggle to survive.
You have obviously not watched the cartoon. Yes in the cartoon they were all of east asian descent but by season 3 Zuko actually goes to the other side and helps Aang and others in various ways. I guess i just spoiled the story…
Anyways they are trying to make this movie appeal to every demographic rather than just east asian people.
Coz lets face it there are hardly any hits in North america that starred an asian in the lead.
Matt, as JoJo points out, there is a twist, so maybe other things aren't as they seem.
Are you sure those posters racist-looking just because there is one dark skinned man and one light skinned man, because that's really all you know about how races are portrayed in a movie you haven't seen.
Again, I hope I'm wrong. I did read that Zuko changes sides. But that still doesn't change the fact that there's no reason to cast white actors in the supporting roles of Katara and Sokka.
I think what Matt is trying to say is the casting seems to be a bit on the racist side and the posters seem to support that as well. Even though Aang is Air and Zuko is Fire the posters due seem to point out racial differences rather than the elemental side. So in other words Shyamalan may have put a “what a twist” on things and made this a racism movie where kids have cool powers.
The sad thing about this movie is Shyamalan tends to fuck up most movies with an apparent twist ending and he's not filming the franchise back to back.
JoJo, the problem with the casting doesn't just lie with Zuko. Aasif Maandvi, another Indian, plays Admiral Zhao. Then it gets worst: Zuko's uncle, Iroh, is being portrayed by Shaun Toub…an Iranian. And his father, Ozai, is being played by Cliff Curtis, a Maori. Shyamalan couldn't even be consistent in his racism; he just threw the dark-skinned people on the bad side and the light-skinned people on the good side.
And as someone of Asian descent, I take exception to your idea that stories with Asian leads can only appeal to people like me. I guess the fact that I like Seinfeld or Everybody Hates Chris must be a complete anomaly, since people can only like projects starring people of their same race, right?
I'd like to add, by the way, that there is not a single Asian cast member in this movie as far as I know. Not one.
There's a lot of focus on race here, and I don't really understand that. Sure, once in a time when people lived in certain locations in the world and didn't travel from their homes and weather for thousands of years forced ppl to develop certain traits to make it easier to survive. As I see it, in the world we live in today, we are all just humans. The concept of different races amongst us is insignificant. Sure there are different cultures and that still needs to be respected. I think that too much focus on race, makes it easy to be prejudice without realizing it. Not to start too much of a discussion on that subject hehe
Anyway, does it really matter where the actors come from when the story takes place in a world that is not ours? As long as they play their roles great?
If the director, or the casting crew are racists doesn't mean anything to me if the movie is good tbh.
wasn't this originally called “Avatar : The last airbender”? in which case M.Night changed the name cause this movie wont even do 1% the profit “Avatar” did… smart move on his part.
Dude, don't give it all away.
One of the (many) great things about the show is the development of Zuko throughout the three seasons. And his relationship with Uncle Iroh is as profound and affecting as the journey Aang takes.
Yes, once Cameron was in production on SMURFAHONTAS the 'Avatar' title was claimed by him and dropped from the Shyamalan adaptation.
But Shyamalan should be used to that. I remember THE VILLAGE was originally called THE WOODS, but had to change because of some awful Lucky McKee movie that nobody ever saw having the same title.
Sorry Paul, but every one of those actors is Asian… it's a big continent. And it certainly seems like you rather than Shayamalan has problems with different races.
I thought this movie was a different world? Does Asia exist in that world? I honestly don't know, but I don't remember the little I've seen being about Earth in any time frame that would regard the same races we've had.
Hope this movie is great. I'd like to walk out of a Shyamalan movie that's great again. I know, for certain, that I won't care one iota about the race of the performers.
As someone who watched the series unfold, I didn't realize that certain characters were certain races, they all seemed there own non-specific fantasy races until some people started to make a fuss about it. I still look at the cartoon Sokka and Katara and see generic American kids in costume. I certainly don't see Inuits.
The whole aesthetic of the show is based around Asian cultures. Except maybe the Water Tribe, which is quite clearly based on the Inuit people.
The word 'Asia' is never mentioned. It's just the overall milieu of the world that comprises the four 'Nations' of Earth, Water, Fire and Air. Just as the four 'Bending' styles are based around four types of Chinese martial arts without ever naming them specifically.
It's taking the influence of Asian cultures and creating a whole new world out of them.
Blame the studio, not the director for it is they who pick out what they believe will appeal to their largest focus demographic when approving casting choice. Remember, Lando Calrissean was cast African-American because the NAACP blah d blah d blah Lucasfilm blah blah Darth Vader. Come on kids, we are all movie geeks and it pains me to see us forgetting that which makes the geek in all of us stand up with pride: we know what the f*^K we are talking about when it comes to movies. We know the difference between casting director and line producer so when was it ever a hired-gun director's (who didn't live up to the media's prediction after his first film) final call when it comes to casting a studio's project?
Matt's a professional writer, and he said what he said. I'm intrigued by what you said, because I don't see it at all… not one drop. How do these posters emphasize race, beyond having two characters of different races?
Ang is clouded in bluish light amidst tails of mist before a Khmer style temple structure. Zuko is surrounded by a fiery orange and yellow sun and its reflection. In both cases, the “elemental side,” as you call it, seems to dominate everything. I don't even think anyone could identify Dev Pael's race from these small images, without knowing who he was beforehand.
I think you as looking for “race” and finding exactly what you want to see.
I haven't seen the cartoon. I did not get a “racism” feel at all. I see your point but I think you might be reaching a little.
As for the movie, I don't know what to think. M. Knight was one of my fav directors, but his last three have sucked, I'll be honest. He does have 3 great movies so I will always give him the benefit of the doubt. To be perfectly honest, if M Night wasn't directing this I probably wouldn't see it.
I think everyone on Collider hates me or something.
“M. Night Shyamalan’s upcoming and slightly racist-looking, The Last Airbender, has two new character banners with one featuring the hero, Aang (Noah Ringer) and the other with the (apparent) villain Zuko (Dev Patel). As you’ll see Aang is white as the driven snow and Zuko, not so much. And if you’re wondering if all of my Last Airbender stories will harp on the racial aspect, the answer is, “Yeah, probably.” Shyamalan has taken an acclaimed animated show featuring characters of various East Asian descent and made all the heroes white while the villain gets to be played by a (great) Indian actor. This is particularly bizarre since Shyamalan is, you know, Indian. “
-Matt Goldberg
Edit: And not I am not going to explain myself to you, simply showing you what Matt Goldberg said because my post explains itself if you read an article. If it doesn't I am sorry you can't understand what I am saying, you never will even if I explain it.
Say what you want I don't really mine, I am getting annoyed of everyone on Collider wanting to argue with me. So don't waste my time and I won't waste yours, thanks.
I highly doubt that Shyamalan had any intention of being “racist” when he cast the actors. Is it racist for him to cast people whom he felt fit the roles or racist that you guys think every time people of color play the bad guy (or the less technologically superior as is the case with Avatar), the producers and directors are racist.
I mean honestly, a coincidence does not make somebody racist. If I hired a white guy over a black guy (with no other information), you'd immediately assume I was racist. That in itself is racist. For all you know I could have hired the white guy because he had a better resume and had work experience whereas the black guy didn't.
In my opinion the Indian looks way cooler than the rest; serious villains are always most memorable and if I even see this movie I have no doubt that my favorite character will in fact be the villain.
I think your just grabbing for air because of how crap his last movie was.
There is one reason, if they screw up like they did with Dragonball by casting the main character as a white guy and everyone else Asian then it will indeed look racist and not only that, it will also look ridiculous when a single white guy is hanging around a bunch of Asians like he is one of them.
The only way this can be construed as any more racist than anyone in America ever is is if the undertone of the story (script) itself shows bigotry toward the villain. Which I doubt that will happen. Otherwise this is as much racist as any movie where they decided to cast a white guy as the lead to make it easier to sell to middle america.
Oh and that all being said I think the top poster is the best looking, the silhouette of his hair line looks really awesome with everything else + fire is cool.
Maybe because those were good actors and they looked close enough to be the family members of the villain?
And perhaps if you look at the casted members for the other nations family members you'll see they all aren't a specific race but multiple ones as well. I mean when we cast a movie with all white actors we don't try to make them all Irish or German do we? We pick who is a good actor, and we make sure they look like they could reasonably be a family member (like you don't put an Iranian guy up along side a white as snow Irish guy/girl and say that the Iranian guy is their son… unless he is adopted. Otherwise that is simply impossible).
I'm a HUGE fan of the cartoon series and even started a fansite for the series a year ago but it was destroyed when my server blew up and destroyed EVERYTHING I worked so hard to create (over 2 months of work!). My point is, I think I have enough background invested in the series and story to have some authority when I say the racist comments are COMPLETE BULL.
Sorry Matt, but you're totally grasping at straws here and while I completely understand your arguments for such things (stories that portray the white man being superior, ala Avatar) that does NOT apply here. After all, the lead character (played by Noah Ringer) looks almost exactly like the cartoon version. To me, he looks at least half Asian, but for all I know he could be white. But he looks the part and has won several Martial Arts competitions so is perfect for the role.
As for Katara and Sokka, the cartoon portrays them to be sort of Eskimo-like so I understand the complaints of them being cast as white but how many Eskimos are there in the acting world? I don't have issues with the cast as long as Sokka is funny and Katara is motherly. Aang is supposed to fall in love with (or at least have a crush on) Katara, and here they cast her to look his age, so that's cool. The cartoon made her appear a few years older, which I always found odd (why would she like him if he was so much of a “kid” to her?).
Here's a pic of all four leads: http://images2.fanpop.com/image/photos/9500000/...
I have to agree there is nothing in those posters that looks “racist” to me. At all. What the heck are people looking for? I totally don't get it.
It seems to me that you're the racist here. “Shyamalan couldn't even be consistent in his racism.” ??? What a twat! Who would say such a thing? Sorry man, but you're so out of line and context you must be lost.
If you look at the actors pictures they all look like they could be related. And they're all EXCELLENT actors, which is the most important thing for a movie, right? Since when does which country you were born matter more than your appearance and acting skills? Your ability to ACT?
I say we wait until a trailer (a full trailer that shows some acting, not a teaser) at the very least. Maybe even for the full movie. As a big fan (as you can see from my avatar pic) I am very optimistic about this.
The two creators of the show are involved in this as producers and writers and work very tightly with M.Night. If they are pleased with the cast, why should we complain? Didn't they CREATE the characters? Are they not more capable of knowing who is right for the part?
Some people will find fault in anything they want. You see what you look for.
I’m a HUGE fan of the cartoon series and even started a fansite for the series a year ago but it was destroyed when my server blew up and destroyed EVERYTHING I worked so hard to create (over 2 months of work!). My point is, I think I have enough background invested in the series and story to have some authority when I say the racist comments are COMPLETE BULL.
Sorry Matt, but you’re totally grasping at straws here and while I completely understand your arguments for such things (stories that portray the white man being superior, ala Avatar) that does NOT apply here. After all, the lead character (played by Noah Ringer) looks almost exactly like the cartoon version. To me, he looks at least half Asian, but for all I know he could be white. But he looks the part and has won several Martial Arts competitions so is perfect for the role.
As for Katara and Sokka, the cartoon portrays them to be sort of Eskimo-like so I understand the complaints of them being cast as white but how many Eskimos are there in the acting world? I don’t have issues with the cast as long as Sokka is funny and Katara is motherly. Aang is supposed to fall in love with (or at least have a crush on) Katara, and here they cast her to look his age, so that’s cool. The cartoon made her appear a few years older, which I always found odd (why would she like him if he was so much of a “kid” to her?).
Here’s a pic of all four leads: http://images2.fanpop.com/image/photos/9500000/Avatar-Cast-the-last-airbender-9512162-454-676.jpg
wow matt, way to show your intelligence. not to mention that aang's poster signifies air, not snow genius, he's a fucking air bender, it's in the title. like others have posted the fire dude turns good later so before you start throwing racism around do your fucking research. calling someone a racist in an article because you're an uninformed douche is an embarrassment to your trade and makes you look like a moral dipshit.
Dude… settle down, that is uncalled for.
Be careful not to be tricked by people marketing this movie, trolling the forums trying to deflate the race issue and making dumb comments like “can't wait to watch this” “wow awesome', PR propaganda, don't be fooled.
lol… be careful for people who are trying to inflate the race issue as well… the fact that everything has to be about race to me is what is worse than people hiring a white actor, etc.
You know when the day comes that people can hire white or black or indian actors without it being a race card or racist antics then racism will be gone. I highly doubt that Shyamalan an indian himself would not hire Asian actors simply because of race, there is probably a much more reasonable explanation for why it turned out that way.
What the f**k this cat M. Night Shyamalan doesn't appear to want his own race up on the screen.
I mean he clearly had the opportunity to provide one person of color the main role in any of his movies. To this date he hasn't chosen to do so.
Why???
He clearly could provide this kid's movie main role to a person of color, including those of Asian decent.
Why?? did M. Night Shyamalan choose to use mainly white actros??
M. Night Shyamalan clearly has the pull to choose his own actors, I don't undrstand
well i loved the cartoon and cannot wait for the movie to come out!
honestly, is it so hard to believe that actors were cast because of their resemblance to the actual animated characters?
http://rokkuramu.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/av...
I also don't understand the casting of white actors, especially given the politics of Hollywood. I'm a white American who has loved the show looking at this cast and having no clue why they are not sticking to the show and keeping everyone Asian. Have there been any official statements from the company or director?
I heard they were going to caste the boondocks movie with all white charaters. Yes, apparently that would be racist because Americans have a problem with selective racism. It's not racist or wrong when they do it to Asian American Americans but it'll be considered racist or wrong when they do it to blacks, Gays, Jews or even white people. Asian Americans need to stand up and say enough is enough. Gays only represent a small fraction of the US population but they apparently have no problem finding roles in the media.
It's never about the money. That money issue have been used since Hollywood's been around. They've tried to skirt the real issue of racism by bringing this excuse up with blacks when they asked for more representation as well as gays, hispanics. In the end, it was never a money issue, but rather a matter about race. Hollywood has a problem with casting Asians and it all comes down to racism. Asians have been on this country since the 1850's. They have served in every US war since the American civil war. It is wrong and racist for Hollywood to deny Asian American roles that should go to Asian Americans.
I heard they were going to caste the boondocks movie with all white charaters. Yes, apparently that would be racist because Americans have a problem with selective racism. It's not racist or wrong when they do it to Asian American Americans but it'll be considered racist or wrong when they do it to blacks, Gays, Jews or even white people. Asian Americans need to stand up and say enough is enough. Gays only represent a small fraction of the US population but they apparently have no problem finding roles in the media.
It's never about the money. That money issue have been used since Hollywood's been around. They've tried to skirt the real issue of racism by bringing this excuse up with blacks when they asked for more representation as well as gays, hispanics. In the end, it was never a money issue, but rather a matter about race. Hollywood has a problem with casting Asians and it all comes down to racism. Asians have been on this country since the 1850's. They have served in every US war since the American civil war. It is wrong and racist for Hollywood to deny Asian American roles that should go to Asian Americans.