This content has been archived. It may no longer be relevant
While we haven’t gotten any official updates on the show, we know that Netflix is teaming up with Avatar creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino for another stab at a live-action adaptation. What’s interesting is, Star Wars actor John Boyega is interested in getting involved.
Boyega had shared a video related to M. Night Shymalan’s The Last Airbender, and when original series director Giancarlo Volpe commented on the post, Boyega followed it up with:
When you lot are ready to have the benders in Africa explored let me know! https://t.co/mUPx0JwWIs pic.twitter.com/zOVuHCRYjv
— John Boyega (@JohnBoyega) July 19, 2020
With the show being influenced mainly by Asian culture, I think it’s fair to say that there aren’t any races in the show equivalent to black (or white) race in the real-world. If anything the world is condensed into 4 nations only, with each nation heavily borrowing from existing Asian culture; Japan/Korea (Fire Nation), China (Earth Kingdom), and Tibet (Air Nation); the only culture that isn’t Asian-inspired is the Water Tribe as they are based on the Inuit.
Then again, I’m sure there is some room for creative liberties. After all, it wouldn’t be a good adaptation if it just followed the series beat for beat. Though I can’t imagine Boyega being a series regular, I think he can play several potential guest roles, like one of the Sandbenders in Book 2 or a Sun Warrior in Book 3. As far as Book 1 goes, I think Boyega would be a good choice to play Jet. I mean, he’s ‘rebel scum’ after all.
No release date has been set for Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender, but you can check out the original animated show now.
