Updated 07/20: Cast and Crew, IMDB Link Is Up!!!

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IF PEOPLE DO NOT STAY ON TOPIC I WILL HAVE THE THREAD LOCKED!

THERE IS NO OPEN CASTING FOR THIS MOVIE. PLEASE DISREGARD ANYONE CLAIMING TO BE PART OF THE COMPANY DOING THE CASTING!

Disclaimer: I am just a fan of the show and do not have inside contacts or references. Also understand that information at this point in production is sketchy and is subject to change at any time. The information posted on this thread may come from a variety of sources and I do not take responsibility for the content of these sources. Please do not take any information or pictures posted on this thead and post it on other sites without my permission as this is not an official source.

Welcome:

Hello and first of all welcome to the official thread for discussing the Avatar Live-Action movie. Nickelodeon has shown great interest in keeping the franchise alive and has high hopes for the movies. Please feel free to discuss the movies here but understand that most everything is still speculative. Please remember to cite all sources when claiming new information about the movie. Finally make sure you respect all other posters even if you have differing views on how the movie should be cast.

Section 1: Purpose of this thread

The goal of this thread is too provide accurate and up-to-the-date information about the live action film to fans of the show here at tv.com. There are already many rumors about the film and this thread will provide information on what is fact, what is fiction, and what is still unknown. I have created this thread so I can update the thread as new information becomes available.

Secondly, this thread will act as the official thread for speculation and discussion on the live action movie to cut down on excess forum threads. The main purpose of tv.com is for disscussing the tv show Avatar the Last Airbender, not the movie, and this thread is meant to limit movie discussion to a single thread.

Section 2: Rules of this thread

a. Please only discuss things relating to the development of the ATLA live-action movie. Any off topic messages will be asked to be deleted and may be modded if necessary.

b. Do not use inappropriate or offensive language when arguing opinions as this can create arguments that quickly get out of hand. Any messages with foul language WILL be reported.

c. If you have any information about the live action movie that you want to share then you must give me a source or some sort of proof (ex: A link).

Section 3: Movie Overview

a. The release date for the first movie is July 2, 2010. Subject to change.

b. There are plans to make a live action movie for each book or season of Avatar at some point in time.

c. The film is being made by Paramount Pictures, MTV Films, Nick Movies, and Blinding Edge Pictures

d. The film will be directed, written, and produced by M. Night Shyamalan with the input of ATLA creators Mike DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko.

e. Set building is set to begin 2008 and filming set to begin early in 2009.

f. The film will simply be titled "The Last Airbender" due to a naming conflict with a James Cameron film.

Section 4: Filming Locations

a. The majority of the film will be made on soundstages in the Philedelphia Area.

b. Part of the movie will be made in Greenland as well as Vietnam.

c. M. Night Shyamalan may and try film part of the movie in India

Section 5: Casting and Development

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Executive Producers: Mike and Bryan

Producers: M. Night Shyamalan, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, and Scott Aversano

Production Design: Philip Messina (Did the Oceans Trilogy)

Cinemetographer: Andrew Lesnie (1 Oscar, 30 years experience, Did Lord of the Rings trilogy, King Kong, and I am Legend)

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Aang: Jonathan Nguyen (Attached/Rumored)

Sokka: Ether Brent (Rumored)

Katara: Elena Fox (Rumored)

Yue:

Master Pakku:

Zuko:

Iroh:

Zhao:


Section 6: Links

IMDB Page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0938283/

Official Movie Announcement: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117956950.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

Source for the info about the Philly Soundstages: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/12784207.html

M. Night Shyamalans Official Fan Club Website:http://www.mnightfans.com/avatar/

AvatarSpirit.net Forum Thread: http://forums.avatarspirit.net/index.php?topic=3496.0

MovieTome Page: www.movietome.com

Wikipedia Articles: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Airbender ,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._Night_Shyamalan

Interview with Jason Isaacs: www.ign.com/articles

Producer Info: http://www.animationmagazine.net/article/8207

Release Date Info: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117984091.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

Section 7: Common Rumors and misconceptions:

1. M. Night Shyamalan will be controlling all aspects of the film, including the writing. This is FALSE. The creators of Avatar will have an ongoing role in the development of the movie. In addition Shyamalan is a devoted Avatar fan and takes the fans very seriously.

Section 8: Special Notices

a. If anyone has a subscriptions to Imdbpro.com please let me know.

b. If you have any information about the movie please let me know.

c. If anyone would like to support this thread send me a PM.

Section 9: Special Thanks

Thanks to High00Lord for allowing the creation and support of this thread.

Thanks to Mike and Bryan for creating a great show and hopefully a great movie.

Section 10: Polls

Excited for the Movie? Wait and See-40% Yes-31% No-11% Other-16%

Does J.N. look like Aang? 1-18% 2-32% 3-15% 4-30% 5-5%

Who should Night Play? Cabbage Merchant: 52%

My two cents on how book 1 in movie form could be structured:

Critical story elements:

-Aang being found in the ice.

-Aang speaking with Roku for the first time and learning about the comet.

-Aang and Zuko's past, like from the storm episode.

-The events at the north pole.

And of course throughout all this they need to develop the characters while Zuko frantically chases Aang from the south to the north pole.

Stuff that might be important (especially to later books):

-Introduction of minor characters (like Suki), who even though we don't see them often, they are part of all three books.

-Aangs first encounter with firebending and its effects on him.

It'll be interesting to see how it's done in the end, particularly how they show that time has been spent travelling, etc.