The trailer of Netflix's live action remake of 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' has been unveiled on social media platforms, and some fans are expressing concerns about the casting decisions, alleging the presence of "whitewashing."
The most recent Netflix film is a live-action adaptation of Nickelodeon's cherished animated series 'Avatar: The Last Airbender,' which ran for three seasons on the channel from February 2005 to July 2008.
Fans expressed their dissatisfaction on X (formerly Twitter), particularly regarding the casting choice for Sokka, a beloved Water Tribe warrior in Avatar. According to their sentiments, Sokka's character should not have a lighter skin tone.
"[T]he sokka casting and lack of [people] darker than light beige REALLY is jarring [crying emoji]," lamented one social media user.
"Not only is he whitewashed but he lacks the sass and charisma that made Sokka's sarcasm so likable," another fan wrote.
"Sokka is played by a white man and the rest of the cast (minus Aang) is full of light brights...next," an X user said.
The original 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' animated series did not explicitly mention real-life ethnicities, as it was set in a fictional world. However, the Water Tribe, to which Sokka belongs, indeed inspired by various indigenous cultures, including the Inuit. The creators drew inspiration from a variety of real-world cultures to develop the diverse nations in the show.
"[R]eminder they not only casted a ton of settlers for indigenous roles, they also completely erased casting inuit people when the water tribe is largely based on their culture," a fan quoted the trailer post.
Sokka is portrayed by Ian Ousley, who is reported to be a Native American claiming affiliation with the Cherokee tribe. However, there were allegations, even before the trailer's release, that the 21-year-old actor is "lying" about his Cherokee heritage.
"Ian Ousley is WHITE[.] [S]top casting white people for native roles in film/media. #removewhitesokka," a social media user posted on X in 2021.
In 2022, a different Twitter user asserted that Ousley is a member of a tribe called the Southern Cherokee Nation of Kentucky, which is listed as fraudulent by the Cherokee Nation.
The community note under this post says that the Southern Cherokee Nation of Kentucky is indeed among the many unrecognized tribes, numbering over 200, which poses challenges for Native Americans. The lack of government recognition, however, does not negate the indigenous status of a tribe, according to the context provided.
As per Cherokee Scholars, individuals should only assert a Cherokee identity in their professional or personal lives, or for career advancement, if they are recognized citizens of the Cherokee Nation, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, or the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians.
In addition to Sokka, certain fans express disappointment with the casting of Katara, Sokka's sister and a member of the Water Tribe, portrayed by Dallas Liu.
"Yeah no sorry Katara and Soka being so visibly lighter than their animated counterparts does bother me a lot. Specially Soka since he's a White boy that lied through his teeth," a fan expressed.
Although Liu is of Asian descent rather than white, some fans feel that the casting decision should have favored a female actress with a darker skin tone, in line with the original animated character.
On the flip side, numerous fans conveyed their enthusiasm for the live-action adaptation after seeing the trailer, with some being satisfied with the casting.
"OKAY WAIT WHY DOES THIS ACTUALLY LOOK GOOD?" a fan commented.
"Every character is instantly recognizable even though they're not a cartoon anymore. That gives me a good feeling," another one wrote.
'Avatar: The Last Airbender' Premieres Next Month
The plot of 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' revolves around a world thrown into chaos after the Fire Nation attacks, disrupting the balance maintained by the Avatar.
With the last Air Nomad, Aang, emerging as the new Avatar, he teams up with siblings Sokka and Katara to embark on a perilous quest. Their mission is to thwart Fire Lord Ozai's menacing plans and evade the relentless pursuit of Crown Prince Zuko.
As they navigate challenges and adversaries, the trio seeks help from a diverse array of allies and encounters colorful characters on their epic journey to restore harmony and save the world.
Netflix's 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' is set to premiere on February 22, 2024. The first season of the series will consist of a total of eight episodes.
