Are these supposed to be impressive? I mean, sure they look nice, but who cares?

americans never cast asians to do asian cartoons/anime.

Creators of show: both white, both American. They’re 100% attached to this movie. Their baby, their rules. The creators are okay with it and it’s going to happen so either get over it or don’t go see it – just quit complaining because this is happening with or without you.

Honestly, I never like to play the race card on anything, but the reason its such a big deal with this movie is because the show really put a lot of thought and consideration into the culture and races of the 4 nations. Water are inuits and native Americans, original fire benders (3rd season) are Mayans, fire/earth are a mixture of Japanese, korean, and chinese, Air benders are Tibetan Buddhists. They put so much effort into emphasising these cultures, even with placing some cultural festivals within a few episodes, that its upsetting to see them through the movie together so quickly and ignore one of the big focuses of the show just to sell tickets. But this is JMO.

I’m very excited about the movie, but yes, race does matter, sokka is tan, and the guy who plays him is like totally pale and white, it just doesn’t look site.

@sky…i personally could care less if they look like the character..it is just a cartoon..and maybe they thought sokka and katara were white because they have blue eyes…and i actually think looks pretty close to sokka anyway even though hes white…i think you people should stop worrying about race so much…i dont want to be part of a generation that is extremely up tight and worried about race and everything like that..we are all just people…and another thing…if its sooo hard for some one of another race to get a job “pretending” in front of a camera…than why dont they just try to get another job?? i mean theyre not really benifiting society by acting in a movie…and the reason why there are more white leads is because there are more white actors! the other ethnicitys are more interested in real jobs that pretending

Avatar is Asian Inspired! if they want Americans on the cast they should be Tanned!!! i dont care about the race ok but they should base this on the original!

@demon64,
The creators, Mike and Bryan practiced Yoga and Kung-Fu, visited China for architectural reference, spent months in Korea with the Animation Studio, and consulted an Asian-American organization to make sure the references used were politically correct.
On Bryan’s myspace page, he states,
” I have NOTHING whatsoever to do with the casting. ”
There is no way the creators would support this film.
They changed all the heroes to caucasian actors
and the villains will be perceived as middle eastern.
Paramount’s targeted demographic are the mindless consumers
who don’t know the difference between Kung-Fu and Karate.

@stratisfire
Being the creator is not “most of the creative process”? really?
What do you know about the creative process involved in designing and developing an entire universe?
By the way, Mike was the story editor.
And I was replying to demon64′s comment about the creators.
Its pretty obvious they don’t support the cast otherwise they would be defending the casting choices against the protestors.
They probably can’t speak out against the movie because of the contracts they signed.

wow. after reading your other comments,
I am not going to argue with your logic.
“because there are more white actors”
“other ethnicitys are more interested in real jobs than pretending”
really?!?!

“i dont want to be part of a generation that is extremely up tight and worried about race and everything like that..we are all just people”
Its not being “uptight” about race.
Do you even know how what discrimination feels like or
to be offended when your race has been disrespected?

I don’t want to be part of a generation that is extremely ignorant to all the diverse cultures in the world.

I will leave you with this quote by the author Ursula K LeGuin,
“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.”

@mish,
I am positive that if the script mentioned that
the Air Nomads and The Water Tribe roles
would be played by Caucasian actors/actresses
and the Fire Nation would be perceived as Middle Eastern,
the creators would not support the casting choice.
One of the creators stated on his myspace page
that they had nothing to do with the casting choices.

It has never been mentioned how much input
the creators had in the production.
They have no creative control.
They may have created the universe,
but, Nickelodeon and Paramount OWN the franchise.

@mish,
I have seen the mike/bryan/mnight interview and I was excited when the movie was announced.
but, after being offended by the casting choices (which were most likely influenced by the producers),
it was like a slap in the face.

The bumblebee analogy = fail.
I am sure if Volkswagon had feelings, it would be hurt and offended.
But, it was obvious that the Transformers movie had American cars to advertise not German cars.

…think of it this way…
If there was an animated series based on African folklore, mythology, religion, architecture, calligraphy, diet, fashion, philosophies, ideologies and martial arts. Then an African-American directed a live-action adaptation. Then the producers decide to change ALL the heroes caucasian and keep the villains African-American…
Do you think the African-American community would be offended?

I don’t plan on giving money to Paramount.
But, I am also trying to raise awareness about these old casting practices.
I am not saying that Shyamalan is racist. The casting choices were racist.
Shyamalan’s bosses have the last word on what the cast will look like.
And the whitewashed cast will send the message to the targeted demographic (children)
that only white people can be the heroes and the dark-skinned people are the villains.
One of the key factors that made Avatar The Last Airbender a successful franchise
was that it was a refreshing departure from a predominantly white media.

@ Sparky Sparky Boom Man: Right on, I agree with you completely.
When I first saw the casting choices I was a little miffed about the whole Sokka and Katara with pale skin. Then I saw the choices for all the firenation people. Wtf! It just shows the Xenophobia of film producers. I love Avatar but I’m not sure I can love this movie. They’ll ruin it just like they ruin most beloved book adaptions. Am I going to give them my money: Undecided.