What a Twist! Live Action Avatar Film

ailin

Jan 9, 2007 16:45:40 GMT -6

Alright, let me set this up. I was sitting around this afternoon, just eating lunch and minding my own business. My dad comes into the room and goes, "Oh, hey, did you see the news this morning? They're making a live action movie of that Avatar show you like so much. It's being directed by M. Night Shyamalan."

You wouldn't believe the face I made in response to that. It had to be some sort of hilarious mixture of disbelief and total confusion. I thought he was lying (my dad is the type of person who does play tricks on someone), he had to be joking. I kept telling him, "You're serious? You saw this on the news?" And he would tell me, "Yes, on the news. It was there."

So, wanted to find out exactly what this is all about, I started looking around the 'net. Here's what I found on Variety.com:

www.variety.com/article/VR1117956950.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

There's also an article on Ain't It Cool News.

Given that this news just broke today, I'm hesitant to believe that it will all go through, especially with the idea he's going to make three Avatar films.

The other problems I have are that M. Night's work has yet to really engage me. I enjoyed Unbreakable, and the Sixth Sense to some extent, but the rest have bored me. He doesn't have the comedic and dramatic timing for something like Avatar, in my opinion. Avatar has struck a great balance between comedy, drama and action. The fight scenes are so well done and well timed. I haven't seen anything of M. Night's work that leads me to believe he could capture the same sense of pacing.

That doesn't even touch the whole aspect that I can't imagine anyone else bringing to life the characters. Who doesn't love Jack DeSenna's delivery for Sokka's sarcasm? And of course, Mako's Iroh was a big reason I started enjoying this show in the first place. How could you watch a live action movie with other actors playing these parts without feeling a little strange? How can I watch these people playing characters I know so well without thinking, "Well, that's weird. They don't sound like them. That's not how Aang/Zuko/Sokka/Iroh/Katara/Toph would do it"?

While it is great to hear that Avatar is getting such attention, the fact the article mentions M. Night will be also writing it makes me really wary. I'm really hoping that someone else ends up at least doing that, because I just don't think it's up his alley.

I know some people love M. Night's work, and others hate it. Does anyone think he'd be the right person for this or that it's even a good idea? Part of me really just wishes they were making a trilogy of animated films. Animation is wonderful (whether in 2 or 3D) and the fact that Hollywood treats it as inferior makes me sad. I was gonna be an animator until I realized I had no patience for it...

Ahem. Anyway...So, what do you guys think?

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Anonymous

Jan 10, 2007 18:46:18 GMT -6

Well if they want to make it good then they shouldn't use the characters from the cartoons because then people will just be whining about how "Katara got ruined, and Zuko wasn't hot." Personally I'd prefer an animated movie as apposed to a live action one. And worse of all they got M. Night Shamalamallamallamallon to direct it and the past few movies on his directed list haven't been that good. Why couldn't Avatar fascinate a director like Jackson so we could get a long movie?

Still Live Action gives us the opportunity to see a whole new kind of Avatar, if the director works out the bending and makes it seem real and is then capable of finding good actors then we shouldn't have anything to fear.

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karl

Jan 19, 2007 19:38:16 GMT -6

Well, hopefully they'll have a new story. It will be very interesting to see live action bending, especially water and air. I can just imagine it being before the first war, at how the Fire Nation plans to conquer and stuff... It would be cool. Plus I can see all the sigs and Avatars on this site... *licks chops*

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A Long Display Name Here

Jan 23, 2007 15:53:52 GMT -6

Yeah, I saw an article about this on ASN (AvatarSpirit.Net).

In my opinion, a Live Action (LA) film would totally ruin any Avatar plotline we have now, based on the show. I wouldnt mind, however, something set in the past, maybe the last few years of Avatar Roku's life, leading up to the big war that the Fire Nation has started in the present-day show. That way, there wouldnt bee too much "That's not how Toph'Katara'Aang'Sokka'etc would've done it!" We dont really know too much about Roku's personality, and there could be a whole slew of new characters.

And, Shio, that comment about Peter Jackson — I WISH!!! *drools* Duuude, if Peter Jackson and the LotR CG Animation crew did an Avatar movie... I'm so there.

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zabasaz

Jan 23, 2007 21:35:31 GMT -6

They're doing the same for Dragon Ball Z, a live action movie. The guy who directed Terminator 3 is doing it. (I think. Someone involved in Terminator 3 plays a prominent role is all I know.) I actually want to see it.

I mean I'm not a fan of of the DBZ plotline, but I like the characters and the show itself (when it's not... slow.)

I'll definately see the Avatar movie, though. Whether it be good or not.

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terra

Jan 24, 2007 20:24:43 GMT -6

Well, they've already made a live action Dragon Ball movie--it's not that uncommon in Japan to have movies (or even series) based off of anime and games. Still, this irks me a bit. You choose the art form to fit the story--that's why it's impossible to make a good Aeon Flux movie. Great as an animation, tells the story perfectly, but as live action it just doesn't feel right.
I'm starting to get really tired of this trend in Hollywood. Sure, I'm amped about the Transformers movie, but I KNOW it's going to be horrid. They're relying on the fandom to sell, instead of making a quality movie. Plus, can you see M. Night actually making a movie without some kind of weird twist that tends to make or break the movie?

I think I'll just wait for Microsoft to accept less of the movie profit than they want so Peter Jackson and Universal Studios can get going with the Halo movie already. >.<

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sethwynd

Feb 10, 2007 18:56:21 GMT -6

They're making a live action movie of that Avatar show you like so much. It's being directed by M. Night Shyamalan.

...interesting. I've actually managed to feel dread.

Something tells me this is going to be an absolute disaster if it's actually given the green light >< ...

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katsumisaifong

Feb 11, 2007 11:25:44 GMT -6

The last I heard, the project wasn't quite shelved, but might as well be. M. Night had some other movie he wanted to get to work on first, blah blah, reasons that at this rate the live action won't make it to theatres until a good 5 years down the road, and by then anyone besides hardcore fans will barely remember Avatar.

Still, I'm torn. On one hand, live action could be really cool and well done. On the other, it has a high potential to be an absolutely god-awful pile of crap. I second the notion that a prequel movie about Roku and the events leading up to where A:TLA starts off would be better than try to set it during the show. Depending on how season 3 goes, a sequel to the series might work too. But otherwise it's going to a lot of "I can't believe they picked HIM/HER to play Katara/Zuko/Aang!!" and "That's not how it should have gone!!!" Hollywood lately tends to kill whatever it gets its hands on in the name of money >.<

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soraya

Feb 23, 2007 9:31:41 GMT -6

Sigh... Oh well, there's nothing we can do about that. I mean, if sending over 500,000 letters to Nickelodeon doesn't get them to un-cancel Danny Phantom, then nothing we do will stop this from happening. We'll just have to hope i'ts not too bad.

I hope the bending aspect won't be too bad. I mean, with Airbending, and Aang jumping super high? (shudders) I can just imagine some totally fake Power Rangers-like thing.

Firebending should be easy enough. They just use flamethrowers. But I'm guessing that the water will have to be animated somehow...

Overall, I'm excited, but I'm trying not to get my hopes up...

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etsuko

Mar 7, 2007 1:51:51 GMT -6

I'd still prefer the Animated version of Avatar. Don't you think the real live action version is weird? Some things are just better of animated. I haven't heard of M. Night Shyamalan before...Wait, was he the one that directed that...Lady in the Water or something? My friend was just talking about it...Yes, I think he's the director of that show. Ooh, this is interesting. Shall do my research on this guy...^^

But how are they going to make the Bending seem real? Like Soraya, said, Fire would be easy. But what about water? They could use effects though, but it may not look as realistic. I somehow prefer the Animated version.

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Last edit by etsuko: Mar 7, 2007 1:52:59 GMT -6

sayeko

Apr 29, 2007 15:58:31 GMT -6

I also think they should keep avatar animated and not make it a live action movie . I really dont think that actors or actresses could potray the depth of the charecters . I really dont think that a live action film would be the same as a animated film and I would not go see a live action avatar fan . Also the directors will probley change the plot completley .

If they want to make alot of money off of a avatar film they should make it an animated film not a live action film .

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mizurayusaki

Oct 2, 2007 1:45:41 GMT -6

I'm going to be weird and say that I think it's an awesome idea to turn Avatar into a live-action film. It will bring a whole new relm to the story. I also think that it'll be a good way to get other people on board because it's no longer just a "kiddie cartoon" if it's live action. Oh, and I'm way excited that it's a three part thing. I love trilogies!!! It'll be great whether it really is great or not. I'm glad to finally see it in one fell swoop too. I hate having to wait so long for the silly animators to tell the story. At least the movies will be in one sitting... sort of. Other than the waiting for the sequels.

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tinungcha

Oct 11, 2007 13:55:08 GMT -6

Sadly, I don't see any good coming of it.

Yes. They have the computer technology to do the Bending believably... IF ... and this is the (literal) Million dollar question... IF they get the funding for something as heavily computerized as the LOTRs were.

Otherwise, I can see another "Dungeons and Dragons" in my head. Or a high-dollar power-rangers. It has a lot of potential... Both good and bad, but I just can't see Shyamalan doing anything GOOD with it.

I don't think he's the right director for something like that. The likelihood that it will be a lower-budget Kiddie-fest is just too high for me to feel anything other than disappointment and dread. Rumors are they're going to go with Roku and Sozin and the start of the war. Perfect place for it to happen... but give me the guy who directed Hero, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, House of Flying Daggers or Curse of the Golden Flower. Give me the guy who did Iron Monkey. It deserves the bright colors, the attention to detail and the esoteric Oh-so-chinese'ness that come with films like that.

Given the right amount of money... and the right backing and not cheaping out because it's for "Kids", I think it could do well.

Anybody remember "The Abyss"? What they did with the watery alien thing was perfect for Water Bending. If anyone's seen any of the recent disaster movies, Earth Bending is taken care of. Fire Bending? They have filters and stuff for that.

Or... you know what else would be awesome?

Screw the computers. Let the Jim Henson company do something with it! You know... like ... Dark Crystal. That would rock my socks, too.

Anyway. I am filled with Dread. But we'll see what happens.

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mizurayusaki

Oct 24, 2007 17:39:55 GMT -6

Special effects are getting cheaper and easier to do. It's true they will need a bit of a budget, but it's being done my MTV and Nick. There's some money involved there, it just depends on how much they want to put into it. I dont' like the idea of it being done by the directors of the Crouching Tiger or all those movies, because I feel like the martial arts in that is ... strange? I dont' know how else to put it. It bothers me the way they fly and stuff in those movies. I guess I just don't understand it. Just my opinion though.

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kita

Nov 7, 2007 19:23:35 GMT -6

I think live action is a bad Idea, It probably portray ANYTHING right. Movies always mess things up. Maybe an animated film would be cool but only if it was produced by the actual people who do the show with the same voice actors. It sounds a little narrow minded but I would hate for it to mess up the happy Idelic situation we're at now. I jus don't think its worth the risk, to bad its not up to me...

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aka

Nov 22, 2007 12:34:14 GMT -6

Hey i think that would be ... interesting to say the least. Even if it did turn out to be horrible I'd probably be dying to see it. haha. Even if it was bad I doubt it would ruin my whole image of Avatar. I mean, look at Balto. (ok i know it's a cartoon!) That movie was AMAZING. and then they came out with the sequels that were absolute crap. But that didn't keep me from watching and loving the first one.

Like you know the street fighter movie? HORRIBLE. But I still love Street Fighter haha. and I do tend to watch the movie when it's on, regardless if I have to struggle to get through it.

I just think it would be interesting to see who they would cast and how they would do the special effects and what not. and what story/plot they could come up with.

The only thing I'm worried about, if they do this, is that the voices would be different? And thus a bit ... weird/unfamiliar. Unless they dubbed it with the original voice actors hahaha. how odd would that be?

I'm definately not opposed to it though.
But Shyamalan? Really? He just doesn't fit the whole Avatar thing at all. When I think of him, I think of like freaky aliens and ghosts and all that weird stuff. (although the movie Signs was fricken awesome!)

I really don't like the idea of an animated full-length movie though. I hate when series come out with movies because they don't fit in with the original story/plot and it just gets so confusing to me. Plus they ALWAYS end up coming out with like a billion movies. Like how many movies does Scooby Doo have now? ahhaha although Avatar doesn't even compare to that cartoon.

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Anonymous

Nov 22, 2007 21:12:20 GMT -6

Movies based on a series have never done it for me. Live-action stuff based on animated shows I like even tend to be even more disappointing. When it gets made I'll probably see it for the same reason I rent a lot of cheesy B-grade horror movies. My curiosity overrides my common sense.

When it comes to portraying any sort of fantasy like Avatar I prefer animation. No matter how good the special effects are they always look a little off to me. That never happens in animation since everything looks the same. Your disbelief comes pre-suspended since you know you're watching a cartoon.

Since I am obnoxiously nerdy I will put together a partial dream cast that will never happen due to impossibility.
Zuko-Johnny Yong Bosch. Dante Basco seemed ideal at first but John Yong Bosch is an experienced martial artist and well...is extremely cool and I want to see him in a big bidget movie.

Iroh-Mako. I can't imagine any one else playing him.

Azula-Zhang Ziyi. She's good at pulling off arrogant and little scary and while she's not a martial artist she fakes it rather well.

Can't think of actors to play the rest. I know that some of you have thought of your own cast. It can't be any stranger than mine. The guy playing Zuko in my head is a little old and the one playing Iroh is a little dead. What a pity. Why couldn't death take Paul Walker instead?

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mizurayusaki

Nov 26, 2007 3:36:56 GMT -6

I feel sooo out of place, but I have to comment on what someone else said.

When writers adapt a book into a movie, all the crazy book fans go see the movie and then whine about how 'it wasn't as good as the book'. Yeah, duh. We all know the book is ALWAYS better. But the book fans when and saw it anyway didn't they? They spent the money and made it a success whether it sucked or not. For example, Harry Potter, the books are great... the movies IMO suck like holy hell. I hate how much they leave out, yet they still are the most insanely expensive and blockbuster movies out there.

As for Shaymalan... why does everyone forget he did Lady in the Water? Now, I know, people out there hated that movie because it wasn't what he usually does. There wasn't a twist! *gasp* Get over it, he's allowed to break out. Anyway, as for Avatar, its a fantasy. Yes its anime, we all know that. But its a fantasy first and foremost. That is Shaymalan's element. He rocks at coming up with these fantastic stories. Lady in the Water, had he done it of the original fantasy story that he came up with would have been an amazing fairy tale. I don't know why more people didn't like it. Nonetheless, I can't think of anyone else who could do a better job as s director. The creators aren't in the movie business, so producing a movie is way different than a show.

So, again. I will be a major fan geek and go see Avatar: The Last Airbender movie.. all three of them in fact.

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ailin

Nov 26, 2007 12:07:19 GMT -6

What is bothering me currently about this whole adaptation is that the creators mentioned that Shaymalan is adapting an entire season into each film. That just seems like an impossible task. How can he write a cohesive narrative that covers the major arcs of each season into a 2- 2 1/2 hour film? I'd like to have faith in the creators that they believe it is a good adaptation, but that alone kind of bothers me. Seems harder than adapting those Lord of the Rings books.

Another issue for me is just that I don't feel Shaymalan's style of writing is compatible with Avatar. His suspense/horror/twist movies aside, his dialogue in movies have never been snappy, or energetic. Avatar runs the entire gamut of emotions, and very often involves humor. I would expect the movie to at least have some humor, considering Aang starts off as a particularly fun-loving goofy kid. I have never seen any humor in Shaymalan's movies. Not to say that it can't be done, but if I were to base my opinion on what I've seen of his work thus far, it'll be hard.

Personally, I would never have picked him as director and writer, but it ain't my choice. It's really made me hesitant to the entire project, and I can't help but wonder how they're going to cast this thing. Most of the main characters aren't older than 16 or 17. And sometimes it's hard to cast kids that don't end up being annoyingly precocious, and overact at the drop of a hat.

So yeah, I'm really on the fence and leaning towards "meh, bad." At least the Harry Potter movies kept some of the humor that was in the series, even if they sometimes omit huge and important bits (looking mostly at you, Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire movies).

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yukionna

Nov 26, 2007 16:45:17 GMT -6

As many of you have said before, I don't think they picked the right person to direct/write this, mainly for the same reason you all have. I will probably go watch this movie, but I will be kinda distrustful of that $7 that I spend for my ticket. I mean, the way Avatar is laid out, so much comedy and drama and action into a perfect blend of a show, and with such a horror film director, I just don't see this happening and being a good movie. I expect a lot from Avatar, and I expect every show to keep me cheering on Katara and Toph. Waiting for Sokka's sarcasm to show itself. I just don't think we can get the same thing from a live-action movie. With a book turned into a movie, you don't have a voice deeply implanted in your head of what they sound like, but from animation to live action, you do. It will just seem really strange listening to someone other than Zach Tyler or Mae Whitman. It just won't seem right.

^ All my thoughts on the 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' live action film.

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