Netflix's adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender isn't even out yet, and the casting has fans already outraged. Here's why.
The widely popular cartoon Avatar: The Last Airbender ended fifteen years ago and still no one seems to want to let it go.
The story of Avatar Aang, the only one who can bend all four elements, and his gripping journey to end a one-hundred year long war may seem like a kid's show at first glance. Still, with its mature themes, heart-wrenching stories and great characters, it's still beloved by many adults.
After the dumpster fire of an adaption by M. Night Shyamalan a few years back, which no one likes or remembers, fans were stoked to have a second chance at getting a live-action Avatar adventure. Netflix answered the call. Yet, the casting has fans upset.
Netflix's Adaptation Of Avatar: The Last Airbender Already Under Fire
Even though there's still no official release date to report, we do know a thing or two about the upcoming show.
On June 18, Netflix released a first look at the main cast, consisting of Aang, the Avatar and main protagonist, as well as his supporting cast of Katara, Sokka and Zuko.
- Want to have more Avatar content? Do yourself a favor and get this Avatar book!
Katara and Sokka, the siblings from the Southern Water Tribe find Aang frozen in an iceberg. Aang, Katara, an adventurous water bender and Sokka, her protective older brother, are basically inseparable from that point on. Together, they set out to help Aang master all four elements and end the war started by the Fire Nation.
All the while, they're being chased by Zuko, the exiled crown prince of the Fire Nation. Hijinks ensue!
A huge part of the narrative is the emphasis on the different cultures in the Avatar world. With inspiration taken from the real world, the writers always made sure to have a diverse world and cast. For example, the Water Tribes are based on the Inuit, which makes Sokka and Katara indigenous.
And that's where the whole mess with the casting starts.
The Diversity Issue With The Casting
While there have been smaller complaints about the first look we got (like that Zuko's scar, which is a huge part of his whole character and past, looks more like a black eye instead of the harrowing experience it mirrors in the show), a far bigger issue stood out.
With diversity being a huge part of the show, fans were quick to check on the actors and make sure the casting reflected that.
Ian Ousley, who plays Sokka in the Netflix show, has claimed to be of indigenous descent and to be a Cherokee. The Cherokee tribe is the biggest existing community of American Natives.
Ousley being Cherokee would have matched well with Kiawentiio Tarbell, who plays Sokka's sister Katara and is part of the Mohawk community. Both siblings being of Native American descent would have made for a suiting casting choice, and while Ian Ousley looks the part, Twitter user 7genvoices dug a bit deeper.
just in!!!! proof ian ousley (sokka) is enrolled in a fake tribe and not cherokee (continued on next) pic.twitter.com/kafwQ2da55
— 7genvoices (@7genvoices) January 10, 2022
The user took it upon themselves to go the extra mile and reach out to the different Cherokee tribes to make sure Ousley was actually a member of their community. And lo and behold: one of them actually confirmed his membership.
Ian Ousley is a confirmed member of the Southern Cherokee Nation of Kentucky. The problem with that? Well, that's an unrecognized tribe. 7genvoices on Twitter even went so far to call it a "fake tribe".
Obviously, fans were upset. Having representation for different ethnicities that have been glanced over in the past was and still is a huge deal, especially for Avatar fans who have been expecially looking forward to that.
Even worse, if this whole ordeal turns out to be true, it could be the case that Ousley lied to get the role of Sokka, which would be a whole other level of inappropriate and insensitive.
But, Ousley should not be condemned just yet. Even though the Cherokee Nation of Kentucky is an unrecognized tribe, that doesn't necessarily mean that's a tribe for sh*ts and giggles and everyone with access to the internet and five minutes time can just sign up for that.
The Cherokee Nation of Kentucky is one of over 200+ unrecognized tribes in the US. The only thing this means right now is that these unrecognized tribes claim to be historically, culturally, and/or genetically related to historic Native American tribes, but the United States (or individual states in the US) have not officially recognized that.
- Having a familiar and super-cute presence at your side may help.
So, for the time being, there's no reason to get the pitchforks out and boycott the show or anything else. It'll still be worth to keep an eye on the situation.
If you're still upset, maybe raging with us could help you get the anger out: