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Set Photos from M. Night Shyamalan’s AFTER EARTH Starring Will SmithNew Image and Set Photo from M. Night Shyamalan’s THE LAST AIRBENDER
by Brendan Bettinger Posted:December 30th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
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In the latest issue of Empire Magazine, there is a story on the upcoming family-friendly, martial arts epic The Last Airbender, and we now have scans of a few images from behind the scenes of the film. The Last Airbender, based on a Nickelodeon animated series similarly titled Avatar: The Last Airbender, is written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, and stars newcomer Noah Ringer, Nicola Peltz, Dev Patel, and Jackson Rathbone. The television series had three seasons, and ideally the film will launch a successful franchise for Paramount Pictures. More after the jump:
I happen to be a huge fan of the television series, as it really snuck up on me in terms of the themes it addressed despite the connotations of a Nickelodeon cartoon. It is a story ripe with fantasy, adventure, and complex relationships that could be well suited to cinematic trilogy. I do have concerns about Shyamalan’s involvement with the project; given his recent track record, his hands are the last I want on a property that I admire. Still, I remain optimistic that the man maintains a storytelling gift deep within him, ready to see the light of day again on The Last Airbender. The Empire scan give you some sense of the costumes and sets used in the film, but not much else. From what we’ve seen so far, the look of the film appears to be perfectly suitable as long as the story is told well. The stylish one-take teaser trailer released in July gives me hope that the movie will deliver on the action potential (if not necessarily the emotional themes) of the series. I’m still dying to know what Appa, a giant, six-legged, dog-like, Miyazakian creature in the TV show, will look like in the film.
The Last Airbender is slated to hit theaters on July 2, 2010. Credit to lastairbenderfans.com for grabbing these images. Head over there to see one additional image.
For those just tuning in, here’s a brief synopsis:
The film is set in a world where human civilization is divided into four nations: Water, Earth, Air and Fire. The Fire Nation is waging a ruthless, oppressive war against the other three nations. The film’s hero, the reluctant young Aang (Noah Ringer), is the “Last Airbender” – the Avatar who, according to prophecy, has the ability to manipulate all of the elements and bring all the nations together.
Aided by a protective teenage Waterbender named Katara (Nicola Peltz) and her bull-headed brother Sokka, Aang proceeds on a perilous journey to restore balance to their war-torn world. Dev Patel plays the Fire Nation’s evil prince Zuko. Exiled from the Fire Nation by his father, Zuko is sent to capture the Avatar in order to restore his honor and right to the throne.
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The images are originally from LastAirbenderFans.com!! Not /Film.
The images are originally from LastAirbenderFans.com!! Not /Film.
I don't think you will remain optimistic after watching this…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUsssUaVGmw
Avatar: The Last Airbender addressed themes that snuck up on me as well.
“Genocide” is a lot to take in.
The Air Nomads and the Southern Water Tribe being wiped out
like the Tibetans and the Native-Americans was a risky theme for children.
But, even more riskier for the Caucasian actor playing the live action role of last Airbender.
Its also sad that the Water Tribe based on the Inuit culture will be played with Caucasian actors/actresses.
What is disturbing is that the Fire Nation will be perceived as Middle Eastern.
The creators, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko
researched and developed this fantasy universe with
Asian mythology, philosophy, ideology, architecture, diet, calligraphy, fashion, and martial arts.
Mike and Bryan practiced Yoga and Kung-Fu, traveled to China to take architectural reference photos, spent months in Korea with the animation studio, and to make sure the themes did not offend anyone, they consulted an Asian-American organization, The East West Players.
Its unfortunate that the only Asians represented in this film will be the background characters of the Earth Kingdom.
@ Sparky Sparky
Oh SILENCE racebender!!
silence? maybe it would help if you didn't read out loud.
and I am not the one bending race, Paramount's producers are the racebenders.
Even Roger Ebert agrees:
Q. Regarding the upcoming M. Night Shyamalan vehicle “The Last Airbender,” what do you think about the whitewashing of the production so that all of the original Asian cultural landmarks, architecture, philosophy, and costume design are being retained while they cast white kids to play the main characters?
Arlene C. Harris
A. Wrong. The original series “Avatar: The Last Airbender” was highly regarded and popular for three seasons on Nickelodeon. Its fans take it for granted that its heroes are Asian. Why would Paramount and Shyamalan go out of their way to offend these fans? There are many young Asian actors capable of playing the parts.
i agree stfu racebender and just enjoy that great movie we shall get
why should I stfu?
I am the ranting “racebender”
you are the mindless consumer,
so you need to stfu.
why don't you try telling all these 5000+ protesters to stfu?
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=54866461619
This is pro-Airbender…they dont protest
ALL FOR AVATAR
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=155823106…
Yep, because as people know, Asian inspired stories are only made better by casting all the heroes as white people. Oh and by ignoring the Asian setting.
“I think it is possible that some readers never even notice what color the people in the story are. Don’t notice, don’t care. Whites of course have the privilege of not caring, of being “colorblind.” Nobody else does.”
- Ursula K LeGuin
http://www.slate.com/id/2111107/
Yep, because as people know, Asian inspired stories are only made better by casting all the heroes as white people. Oh and by ignoring the Asian setting.
“I think it is possible that some readers never even notice what color the people in the story are. Don’t notice, don’t care. Whites of course have the privilege of not caring, of being “colorblind.” Nobody else does.”
- Ursula K LeGuin
http://www.slate.com/id/2111107/