M. Night Shyamalan to direct live-action 'The Last Airbender'

[Channy]

I know this isn't exactly new news, but when I was wiki-ing Shyamalan and found that he was writing, directing and producing a trilogy of the anime, I wanted a topic to discuss how ridiculously fucked up this will be. >_>

I got into Avatar: The Last Airbender when it first aired in Canada on YTV a couple years ago. And then kinda lost interest as soon as I lost track of the episodes. For a kiddie anime, I thought it was pretty cute. And to make a Live Action movie for it, well, colour me curious.

Here's the info from wikipedia

Feature film

On January 8, 2007, Paramount Pictures' MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies announced that they have signed M. Night Shyamalan to write, direct and produce a trilogy of live-action films based on the series; the first of these films will encompass the main characters' adventures in Book One.[63] The film was in a dispute with James Cameron's film Avatar regarding title ownership,[64] which resulted in the film being titled The Last Airbender. It is set for release on July 2, 2010.[65] Shyamalan was attracted to the series because of its inspiring martial arts and spiritual theme,[66] after being introduced to the program by his children. Filming will begin in March 2009 and take place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and in Ilulissat, Greenland. Producer Frank Marshall stated the film may be moved to later in 2010 or even to early 2011, and that some filming could happen in the Far East.[67]

According to an interview with the co-creators in SFX Magazine, Shyamalan came across Avatar when his daughter wanted to be Katara for Halloween. Intrigued, Shyamalan researched and watched the series with his family. "Watching Avatar has become a family event in my house ... so we are looking forward to how the story develops in season three," said Shyamalan. "Once I saw the amazing world that Mike and Bryan created, I knew it would make a great feature film."[68]

Avatar co-creators Mike DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko voiced their opinion within an interview regarding M. Night Shyamalan writing, directing and producing the film. The two displayed much enthusiasm over Shyamalan's decision for the adaptation, stating that they admire his work and, in turn, he respects their material.[69] M. Night Shyamalan said he will write the second film while preparing to shoot the first.[70] James Newton Howard, who has composed all of Shyamalan's films since The Sixth Sense, will compose The Last Airbender.[71]

Shyamalan offered the roles of Aang to karate-trained Texan Noah Ringer; Sokka to Jackson Rathbone (Twilight); Katara to Nicola Peltz (Deck the Halls); and Zuko originally to Jesse McCartney.[72] The casting of white actors triggered negative fan reaction marked by accusations of racism, a letter-writing campaign, and a protest outside of a Philadelphia casting call for movie extras.[73][74][75][76] Rathbone dismissed the complaints, saying "I think it's one of those things where I pull my hair up, shave the sides, and I definitely need a tan. It's one of those things where, hopefully, the audience will suspend disbelief a little bit."[77] In February 2009, Dev Patel replaced McCartney, whose tour dates conflicted with a boot camp scheduled for the cast to train in martial arts.[78][79] Aasif Mandvi will play Admiral Zhao, Shaun Toub will play Uncle Iroh, Cliff Curtis will play Fire Lord Ozai and Keong Sim has been cast in the role of an Earthbender.

First of all... wat. A psychological thriller of a movie maker, pairing up with Nickelodeon Movies to film a live action kids flick? Shyamalan's all well and good, he's done some kick ass films (although I thought The Happening was kinda lack luster) but a kids film? Eh...

Second of all, the cast.

Aang: I'm okay with the no name of an actor for the lead, Aang. Some little 12 year old Karate trained Texan boy who auditioned online (apparently?). Nobodies heard of him, there's no pics online of him on wiki or imdb. He's literally a nobody. Which to me, lightens my expectations. If it were somebody FAMOUS (see Zuko) I'd get my gonch in a knot about the famous face possibly ruining it forever because (from experience) I know they couldn't fit the role. Anonymity for once, is a good thing.

Katara: We got another no-name. Well, she was in two movies. Nicola Peltz sets to play the heart throb tease Katara who has the huge deniable crush on Aang. Slightly easier to find on the net, and she's got a cute face. I don't have doubts about this one.

Sokka: Twilight's (Jasper) Jackson Rathbone will be playing the clutzy, easy to hate but love at the same time, brother of Katara. I was never one for Sokka, but who knows... Maybe he could pull it off.

My biggest issue was

Zuko: Thankfully McCartney's been replaced by Dev Patel, because I really couldn't see the heart throb for pre-teens everywhere playing a bad ass scarred avatar-hunting mother fucker. I haven't seen Slumdog Millionaire or Skins, so this ones a toss in the air for me as well. But hey, he's bringing forth a bit of colour to the cast.

An third of all there's that racial controversy over an all-white cast playing Asian parts. You just can't please anyone when you do a live action movie, can you?

 

[Max Payne]

Lol I heard about this.

Dull out of his element director working on a completely lackluster wannabe anime show(yes I watched it, my little sisters loved it).

Seems suitable. Bullshit on the race bit tho. That is as bad as when they wanted Daniel Radcliffe to play fucking Shinji Ikari.

 

[Ⓐaron]

It'll be awful.

 

[Super Mario]

Daniel Radcliffe to play fucking Shinji Ikari? what fucked up madness is this?????????????

 

[Tennyo]

For me it's never been about race when it comes to stuff like this, it's just the issue of making sure the actors actually look like the characters they are playing.

Anyway I've never watched this show, but it seems to get a lot of praise. Seems like the kind of thing I would have loved as a kid.

 

[Ⓐaron]

[quote author=Emperor Joker link=topic=733.msg32571#msg32571 date=1237629461]
Daniel Radcliffe to play fucking Shinji Ikari? what fucked up madness is this?????????????
[/quote]Is Shinji Ikari gonna have to choke a bitch?

 

[tangerine]

It's not an anime, it's a cartoon. And I love the show.

 

[Super Mario]

[quote author=V link=topic=733.msg32668#msg32668 date=1237662584]
[quote author=Emperor Joker link=topic=733.msg32571#msg32571 date=1237629461]
Daniel Radcliffe to play fucking Shinji Ikari? what fucked up madness is this?????????????
[/quote]Is Shinji Ikari gonna have to choke a bitch?
[/quote]

Moar liek Gendo Ikari amirite?

 

[Ⓐaron]

idk, lol

 

[Max Payne]

Clueless jew is clueless.

 

[Channy]

I heard that, but isn't that supposed to be just another rumour, kinda how like there were rumours about changing Rei to Ray and Asuka to Kate Rose. Peter Jackson's also supposed to direct and Jennifer Garner is playing Misato.

Gotta love rumours.

 

[Tennyo]

Peter Jackson directing would be quite epic, actually.

 

[Max Payne]

[quote author=Channy link=topic=733.msg32674#msg32674 date=1237664335]
I heard that, but isn't that supposed to be just another rumour, kinda how like there were rumours about changing Rei to Ray and Asuka to Kate Rose.
[/quote]

That wasn't a rumour at all chief. Weta released concept art that had americanized names on the character sheets. They were changed back eventually.

 

[Channy]

So it was supposed to be Ray and Kate, but not anymore? Thank fuck for that.

 

[Max Payne]

The head of Weta said that the film needs to have a predominately Asian cast in order to have worldwide appeal.

I personally think it's stupid to change character's races for region specific appeal. What kind of stupid person thinks that the races need to be changed for it to have appeal to a western audience? Please tell me so I can stab them.

That's a freaking insult to us all.

 

[Alex]

I know, what fucking madness. Everybody knows the world doesnt give a shit about Asians.

 

[Tennyo]

[quote author=Dacon link=topic=733.msg32679#msg32679 date=1237667513]
The head of Weta said that the film needs to have a predominately Asian cast in order to have worldwide appeal.

I personally think it's stupid to change character's races for region specific appeal. What kind of stupid person thinks that the races need to be changed for it to have appeal to a western audience? Please tell me so I can stab them.

That's a freaking insult to us all.
[/quote]

I agree. The show already has a huge following, so wouldn't it make sense to be a little more true to the source?

Also, a good story is a good story, imho, no matter the "appeal" of it. Having all white people won't make me like it if the story is terrible, and having an all Asian cast wouldn't be any different in that regard either.

This is why video game and cartoon inspire live action movies fail, people. Just focus on a good story and being true to the original instead of trying to make shit more appealing because these people usually have no idea what is appealing anyway.

And someone please give Chun Li bigger thighs while they are at it!

 

[Super Mario]

[quote author=Dacon link=topic=733.msg32679#msg32679 date=1237667513]
The head of Weta said that the film needs to have a predominately Asian cast in order to have worldwide appeal.

I personally think it's stupid to change character's races for region specific appeal. What kind of stupid person thinks that the races need to be changed for it to have appeal to a western audience? Please tell me so I can stab them.

That's a freaking insult to us all.
[/quote]

hrmm... the wachowski bros for starters.


Tennyo: Legend of Chun-li was BS. trying to add realistic touches to Street fighter characters are a fucked up no no. lol

 

[Tennyo]

Is Legend of Chun-li out already? XD

And yeah, if it is going to be live action I don't see why it has to be realistic. Which is why most of these people should probably just not try anymore.

 

[Super Mario]

they did it wrong that's why they failed somewhat.

 

[Max Payne]

Legend of Chun Li is roachshit. I'd say horseshit but that's too much of an honor in turd rankings for that awful film.

 

[Channy]

moar live action (oldish) rumours

Spielberg nabs rights to 3D live action Ghost in the Shell movie
http://www.firstshowing.net/2008/04/14/spielberg-adapting-ghost-in-the-shell-into-live-action-3d/

Keanu Reeves as Spike in live action Cowboy Bebop. There's no attached director or writer, but he's been attached for eight months now.
http://www.firstshowing.net/2008/07/30/rumor-keanu-reeves-as-spike-in-cowboy-bebop-movie/

And my favourite

The SMURFS make it to live action Meant to be part CGI and part live action (like Alvin and the Chipmunks) no one knows who's directing, what it's about or who will be in it. Comforting.
http://www.hecklerspray.com/the-smurfs-movie-it-isnt-a-cartoon-any-more-be-afraid/200814663.php

 

[Makoeyes987]

This is how you know the world's going to fucking end. Every conceivable idea in terms of media and entertainment has been sucked dry and thus Hollywood has to cannibalize itself and rehash all these old franchises.

This fucking Avatar film was doomed from the start. I see it as maybe a marginally better film than Dragonball Evolution. And that's being optimistic.

Fucking tired of all my favorite things getting raped into the ground. It's like Ultimecia's reaching into my mind and turning all my happy childhood memories against me.

 

[Cthulhu]

[quote author=Tennyo link=topic=733.msg32675#msg32675 date=1237664401]
Peter Jackson directing would be quite epic, actually.
[/quote]

Except that either everyone would be running furry-barefoot, or Andy Serkis would have the main role. Although the latter wouldn't be a bad thing.


Also, I have no clue what this topic is about, just poasting here for the heck of it.

 

[Channy]

l2readtopicthread Yop.