The 2026 film schedule already has some unimaginable releases lined up, however I’ve to confess, the brand new Avatar: The Final Airbender film has me most excited. As a long-time fan of Avatar: The Final Airbender, I’ve been the woman who has been always on high of it.
I’ve been loving the ATLA universe and no matter comes with it. I binged all the live-action ATLA present on Netflix and loved it – and I’m nonetheless impatiently ready for ATLA Season 2, at any time when that comes. Heck, I even have an Appa plushie – I’m hardcore.
So, in fact, with the brand new movie popping out, referred to as The Legend of Aang: The Final Airbender, I’m anticipating that. However a brand new piece of casting information – relating to who’s going to voice Zuko – has me irritated, and I want to speak about why this feels mistaken.
I’m Alright For Some Films Having Huge-Identify Casting
If you happen to haven’t heard, the particular person voicing Zuko within the upcoming movie might be Steven Yeun. I wish to say first off, I’ve no drawback with voice actors altering, more often than not, for motion pictures that are usually tailored from TV reveals. I’ve seen it time and time once more. Typically it’s accomplished very well. Different instances it’s… not. I’m nonetheless not the largest fan of Chris Pratt within the Mario solid. However both manner, it’s not like this can be a new factor.
And Steven Yeun is one in all my favourite actors. I’ve been a giant fan of Steven Yeun’s greatest movies, and have actively watched his profession flourish over the previous decade and a half from Yeun’s time in The Strolling Lifeless to now. And naturally, a lot know him from Invincible, an important superhero present on Amazon the place he does a wonderful job voicing the principle character. On any different film, I’d be excited for this. However there’s one factor I’m not glad about.
The Unique Voice-Actor For Zuko Is Nonetheless Very A lot A Half Of The Franchise
Some time again, I wrote about why I imagine that Zuko has probably the greatest character arcs in all of tv, and I stand by that to this present day. And whereas his story performs a significant function in that, his voice appearing from Dante Busco is simply as main.
The voice actor has been a huge fan of this franchise for years. In truth, I’d actually say, moreover the creators of the collection, he’s the face of it, the place he’s had talks about it, hosted podcasts, and gone to fan conventions. And the truth that he wasn’t probably the most apparent choose for this after the years he has devoted to this collection boggles me.
I’ve seen some folks say that the youngsters are adults on this movie, in order that’s why the voices modified. However so is Dante Busco. The voice actor is properly into his grownup years. You don’t suppose he might voice an older Zuko?
Once more, usually, this wouldn’t upset me as a lot, however the truth that he clearly loves this collection, and he’s not going to play this character that folks love – and love him voicing – irks my ATLA-loving coronary heart.
I Want That The Unique Forged At Least Had Some Involvement With The Movie
I do know that not each single voice actor from the present might be part of the brand new movie. I’m not blind to the complexities of the modern-day field workplace and the necessity for giant names to attract in folks. However this feels prefer it’s slowly morphing into one thing ATLA followers don’t need.
I actually need it to be good, nevertheless it’s going to be laborious to think about that with out the involvement from the voice actors that introduced these characters to life in animated collection. And now, with Dante Busco not voicing Zuko…it’ll be even tougher for me.
Both manner, I’m nonetheless going to finish up seeing the movie – I’m nonetheless an ATLA girly. However I’ll simply be saying my very own ‘that’s tough, buddy’ the second I sit within the theater.