"Avatar: The Last Airbender" First Looks Are Finally Here, And People's Reactions Are Fire And Ice

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The first looks of the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender are finally here!

My grandmother used to tell me stories about the old days —a time of peace — when Nickelodeon kept the balance with episodes of The Last Airbender...

Screenshot from "Avatar: The Last Airbender"
Nickelodeon

But that all changed when M. Night Shyamalan's live-action adaptation attacked.

GIF from M. Night Shyamalan's "The Last Airbender"
GIF from M. Night Shyamalan's "The Last Airbender"

Paramount Pictures

In 2010, M. Night Shyamalan's live-action remake of the original animated series was met with extreme criticism, receiving a 5% rating and a 30% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Now, Netflix has stepped up to hopefully right the wrongs of the past and give the fans of the four nations a proper remake. The streamer's live-action adaptation has been in the works since 2018. They announced their cast back in 2021, and the full cast in 2022 — and now there's more!

A reimagined, live-action “Avatar: The Last Airbender” series is coming to Netflix! (ᴄᴏɴᴄᴇᴘᴛ ᴀʀᴛ ʙʏ Jᴏʜɴ Sᴛᴀᴜʙ) pic.twitter.com/YsMoE4UguV

— Queue (@netflixqueue) September 18, 2018

Twitter: @netflixqueue

On Friday, Netflix released the main cast's first looks; if you weren't excited before, wait until you see Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Zuko come to life.

Arrows pointing at the actors playing Sokka, Katara, Aang, and Zuko
NOAH ASANIAS/ Netflix

Gordon Cormier is Aang, the Avatar and the last airbender in the world.

Gordon Cormier as Aang
/ ROBERT FALCONER/NETFLIX
Side-by-side of Gordon Cormier, Aang from the Netflix series, and Aang from the animated series
Alexandre Schneider / Getty Images for NETFLIX/ / ROBERT FALCONER/NETFLIX/ Nickelodeon

Ian Ousley is Sokka, the 16-year-old de-facto leader of the Southern Water Tribe, who steps up after his father left to help fight in the war against the Fire Nation.

Ian Ousley as Sokka
/ ROBERT FALCONER/NETFLIX
Side-by-side of Ian Ousley, Sokka from the Netflix series, and Sokka from the animated series
/ ROBERT FALCONER/NETFLIX/ Alexandre Schneider / Getty Images for NETFLIX/ Nickelodeon

Kiawentiio is Katara, his 14-year-old sister who is the last water bender in her tribe after the Fire Nation killed all the other benders.

Closeup of Kiawentiio as Katara
/ ROBERT FALCONER/NETFLIX
Side-by-side of Kiawentiio, Katara in the Netflix series, and Katara in the animated series
Alexandre Schneider / Getty Images for NETFLIX/ ROBERT FALCONER/NETFLIX/ Nickelodeon

And Dallas Liu is Prince Zuko, the exiled 17-year-old crown prince of the Fire Nation, who must capture the Avatar to reclaim his honor.

Dallas Liu as Prince Zuko
/ ROBERT FALCONER/NETFLIX
Side-by-side of Dallas Liu, Prince Zuko in the Netflix series, and Prince Zuko in the animated series
Alexandre Schneider / Getty Images for NETFLIX/ ROBERT FALCONER/NETFLIX/ Nickelodeon

But, since the original creators, Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko stepped away from the Netflix project for "creative differences" to helm Avatar Studios and create separate projects, including an upcoming animated film — fans are still skeptical about the future of this live-action remake.

Some people were quick to point out their issues with the costumes.

Okay I’m sorry but Aang’s costume looks like it came straight off the budget friendly rack at party city

— BENZ0 (@BENZ0official) June 17, 2023

Twitter: @BENZ0official

Zuko and Sokka's costumes look great, but Aang and Katara's look too colorful and fake. Seems like they just tried to copy them from the show 1 to 1 and that usually doesn't work with things like costumes.

— Trevor Rhoads (@trevor_rhoads_) June 17, 2023

Twitter: @trevor_rhoads_

Still, what sreally throws me off thus far are the appearances. I feel as if Aang‘s depiction could 100% be a cosplay. The arrow seems way too thick (I would have preferred if they had something like in the movie) and the clothes seem like costumes not like actual clothes…

— Zaen (@elsanmu) June 17, 2023

Twitter: @elsanmu

This looks awful, why would they make him look so different. Just leave good things alone.

— Tweet Serith (@SerithTweet) June 17, 2023

Twitter: @SerithTweet

Others were a bit skeptical because the original creators are no longer involved.

It looks really accurate but the fact the creators left the series over differences makes me nervous.

— Austin (@AustinPlanet) June 17, 2023

Twitter: @AustinPlanet

If you are disappointed with how they look standing still, wait until you see the fight scenes. I don’t think it would be possible to do Avatar justice even with a Game of Thrones budget, and this isn’t gonna have a Game of Thrones budget.

— Daniel Friedman (@DanFriedman81) June 17, 2023

Twitter: @DanFriedman81

Yet, there are a few fans who are holding out hope for the live-action version of the Aang Gang.

Idk why the idea of them still being kids like left my mind. I was expecting like older people to try and pass for kids but this is way better !

— ƧIKΣY ✰ (@femuline) June 17, 2023

Twitter: @femuline

so excited for this, i actually have high hopes

— viviana (fan) (@repmiIas) June 17, 2023

Twitter: @repmiIas

It doesn't look bad so that's a start.

— Richard A. Heaton (@zanderlex) June 17, 2023

Twitter: @zanderlex

Also, check out the teaser trailer featuring the symbols of the four great nations from the world of The Last Airbender.

If there are any new developments, we'll keep you posted.