The more promo Netflix's adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender puts out there, the more nervous some fans become. Hi, I'm fans.
Live-action adaptations are a dangerous thing, especially if the source material in question is the legendary Avatar: The Last Airbender. Netflix still gives it a try, coming out on February 22 with Book One: Water. The adaptation already got some backlash from the devoted fanbase after revealing some changes to Sokka's character and in their newest clip, it seems that Zuko might get a similar treatment.
Or it's all just to bamboozle the audience – let's take a closer look at what's even happening here, shall we?
Does Zuko's Mission Change In Netflix's Avatar Adaptation?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, consider this a spoiler warning. If you have no clue about Zuko or Avatar in general because you haven't watched the original, do me (and yourself) a favor and do so immediately.
Nothing will get in the way of the Fire Nation, not even the Avatar pic.twitter.com/fW5mpBL1DW
— Avatar: The Last Airbender (@AvatarNetflix) February 7, 2024
Recently, we got a new clip of Zuko (Dallas Liu), sitting at his desk (presumably on his ship) and writing – writing what? A letter? A journal entry? Seems more like the latter, if you ask me. Viewers get a little briefing: the Fire Nation has started a war and Zuko needs to capture the Avatar to win.
So far, so good, right? That's the gist of it, anyway. Except it's not. Back in the original, Zuko hasn't exactly cared much for the war at all, and he didn't spend his formative years with his Uncle on a doomed hunt for the Avatar to help win the war for his douchebag of a father, but to earn his love and, say it with me, regain his honor.
If his motivations change drastically like that for real, it's no wonder the original creators left the Netflix crew. It's basically Zuko's whole arc to chase his lost honor, kind of get it back for a while and realize what's really important. He's the poster child for redemption arcs for a reason!
To end on a more hopeful note, there's still a chance the ruckus is for nothing, and it's really just Netflix misleading fans. Zuko could also be writing a letter and keep up appearances in the clip, his true motivations for his Avatar hunting days kept secret in front of General Zhao, for example. Fingers crossed.
Check it out yourself, whether or not Zuko is still the Zuko we know and love come February 22.