White-Washing Avatar: The Last Airbender?

By Moye | Thursday, December 18, 2008 | 133 Comments

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Entertainment Weekly recently announced the casting decisions by M. Night Shyamalan for his latest project, Avatar: The Last Airbender, a live-action version of the popular Nickelodeon cartoon.

With names like Jesse McCartney, Twilight’s Jackson Rathbone and Nicola Peltz, it’s clear to most fans that Shyamalan has missed the biggest point (and possibly, the biggest draw) about the show and its Asian influence.

Let me be upfront with you guys: I didn’t watch Avatar. My friend (a grown, 26 year old man at the time) tried to convince me to watch it on Nickelodeon but that just made me mock him for his TV choices. However, as a fan of animation, I was excited to see how far anime’s popularity had come. With the previous influx of Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh and InuYasha, it was no surprise that kids now would be watching an anime-inspired cartoon created, written and designed by Americans.

The story is undeniably Asian-influenced: characters have names like Aang, Toph Bei Fong and Iroh, they all use martial arts, Chinese characters are featured throughout the show and the music on the show’s website makes me feel like I should be ordering some General Tsao’s chicken.

Then why would Shyamalan and Paramount decide to go forward with such a white cast? Was it really that hard to find Asian and Inuit actors to cast for the main roles? Did Shyamalan watch a completely different series than the rest of us? Fans have deemed their choices as outrageous and racist, and they’ve even started a letter-writing campaign against the studio — all understandably so. You’ve got this Emmy-award winning series that celebrates pan-Asian culture, yet they’re completely white-washing the story for the big screen. I’m sure there’s the perfect excuse/reason: a full Asian cast wouldn’t draw a big enough audience across America. Yeah, I’ve heard and seen that one before (Breakfast At Tiffany’s or Sayonara, anyone?).

Or maybe this is just another one of Shyamalan’s crazy omg plot twists? You know, dun dun dun… they’re WHITE! And they can see dead people. Oh, and it’s the trees. Gasp.

But here’s where I’m torn on the issue: I could be wrong, but Avatar was co-created by two Caucasian males, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, both of whom are fans of typical Asian cultural icons like Buddhism, Shaolin Kung Fu, Chinese art and Japanese cinema. I’m sure they love sushi and mochi icecream, too. They’ve reinterpreted their passions into an Asian-inspired story that takes place in a separate universe. So while fans are demanding Shyamalan’s cast represent the cultural influence, how “authentic” and Asian is Avatar? Can you even demand an Asian cast when the creators themselves aren’t necessarily representatives of Asian culture?

I don’t consider them to be and in fact, I would probably have more issues with two white guys reappropriating my culture to create a personal universe, unlike Dragonball Evolution, which placed a Caucasian male in a Japanese story.

So there. If you disagree, keep writing your letters cause there’s nothing like a little Hollywood activism during the holidays. I do hope they change their minds, and if not, the movie flops.

(Hat tip: Min)

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DiscriminationEntertainmentMovies

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Danny

floppity flop flop flop
http://southern4life.blogspot.com wondermann

It’s a shame they are doing this. A total disregard of the people and the culture
Pingback: This Matters: Avatar the Last Airbender’s Friky Diky Cast « Lemon Water
http://www.littleyellowdifferent.com Ernie

I didn’t even know Avatar was American and not translated Japanese anime.
CaliStunna818

Who isn’t surprised by this?

They even tried to remake My Sassy Girl with an all-White cast…but it flopped…straight to DVD! lol
p33mp

Ernie – you gotta go out there and go buy this series on DVD!!!

it’s freaking awesome!!!

i hope m night stands up for asian american actors and casts at least one or two freaking asian leads!!! and please don’t cast asians for all the villain roles… that would be the ultimate slap in the face

thanks for the hat tip…
Ario

Well its not really an anime per say because it is made by Americans but I can see why some are offended by what some are calling the “whitewashing” of the series.

Personally I don’t mind the casting so much if they translate the themes of the series well but it makes me worried about how much effort they are going to even put into transitioning the Avatar universe into a film one.

The original creators did their research. They did the leg-work. They hired historical consultants to help them fashion, they hired martial arts masters to work with their animators, they researched architecture & cuisine and in the end created one of the most nuanced, challenging universes in contemporary speculative fiction.

I really really want this to work out but I fear something as cheesy as “Dragonball Evolution” in the end.
Pepper

yes, the series is designed and written by American creators alright, but do people know that it was actually made by a Korean animation studio?

http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=1587

So…Asian culture, philosophy, costume, martial arts and animators are good enough to use for this series…yet not one Asian actor is? ALL of the leads are white? Even the dark-skinned leads?

*sighs* Are people forgetting this series was successful around the world too? It’s not just successful in America (which btw has a large and diverse group of non-white people too in comparison to other nations). To cast them all as white, kinda ignores the non-white fans as well. I seriously doubt there are no non-white child actors with talent.
uRB4N

Hrm.

Guess you guys still haven’t realized that white peope like Asian culture. They like your food. They like your customs. They like the language. They like the history. They just don’t like YOU.
CaliStunna818

Most likely the Asian/Asian-Americans that do gain any major success in the U.S. mainstream are usually bi-racial/multi-ethnic. There’s so many celebrities I can name right now that are of Asian descent, yet not many people would view them as “Asian”.
Daniel

aiya…I watched a few times and even without thinking about race—it would have made sense if the characters were of East Asian background. In a sense, this is nothing new, just read up about the history of Black entertainment.
However, it’s just fantasy and if they are able to do the film well, then whatever.
Daniel

Actually, I just remember that the show seem a bit more diverse…even more to ponder about.
Urbancool

Create article and it conveys the truth that paramount is totally oblivious to.

Honestly I see no problem with an all Asia cast if Hollywood expects us asians to watch their movies with an all white casting.

Seriously. That’s so disrespectful.
Katara’s Fan

I kinda find this puzzling, too and I agree with some comments, but I believe some people (not saying who) are going overboard by using the word “racist”. I mean, they’re just making a movie by using their own actors/actresses. I’m sure they’ll get them to fit by darkening up their makeup or something, but I’ve seen it like this lots of time…especially with Indian movies.

Most of the time, the original idea came from an English movie, but Bollywood makes it into their own version. I doubt that’s racist. (If you want, you can call it stealing.) There are movies made all the time and translated into another language and other countries can even create their own movie version.

I would have thought that they would have used some Hollywood Asian actors/actresses FOR EXAMPLE, like Jet Li. He works in Hollywood and speaks English. Maybe Hollywood could search for talented Asian actors/actresses (teens)who speak English and are willing to be in the “Avatar: The Last Airbender”.

I agree this is a bit odd, but I’m not upset to the point where I would write angry letters to Hollywood or would complain to the fullest extent. Nah…I’m just planning to see how it turns out…who knows? It might be good and we’re all getting upset for no reason.

-Katara’s Fan
http://www.amazon.com/Orientalism-Edward-W-Said/dp Brian C.

Moye brings up a good point that the creator’s are not even asian.
Sounds like “Orientalism” to me. Had to read it since my professor wrote it.
Edward Said (r.i.p.)

Orientalism – Throughout history, almost everything the West knows or thinks of the East is through the eyes of a westerner to begin with. So how authentic is the West’s understanding of the Orient/East?

This coming from a 2nd generation “twinkie” like me.
Daniel

Well, it is true what the last previous commentators mentioned, especially the part about orientalism. In other societies, it wouldn’t be an issue (in a sense). Depends on what perspective you are looking at. I mean, Asian entertainment isn’t quite PC as well, and so are countless other media outlets.

I think a point to think about is there’s probably a good number of citizens in the US (maybe Canada, but I’m not sure) where more is expected from these places—like a higher standard. It’s hard to blame members of their own society from having such ideals. There’s still people out there who’se image of Americans is still predomionantly caucasian white while those with darker complexions (and background) are few. Both inside the US and outside. I’m sort of refraining from using the term race because that word has somewhat been abused and may bring up different definitions to whoever is reading it.

If you all want to go deep into history, it’s worth mentioning that there were and are Caucasian-whites (and many people from other backgrounds) who were against orientalism (or admiration of other cultures through western eyes) and wanted such images (whether fantasy or for some serious public event) to reflect more of reality.
cognitis

Products now made by Euros have little value: all US retail news Media report only exciting but meaningless happenings, or they report meaningful events late; all US popular TV shows lack originality and insight; what few US makers remain like Apple only assemble components made in Japan or Korea; all US websites like Youtube or Facebook use dated technology, and they offer childish services (ooohh, pictures!).

Don’t watch childish and meaningless US TV shows (your kids learn what exactly by watching “Survivor”?); don’t by cheap childish US goods like Gap clothes; don’t buy US cell phones, since the Japanese only license five-year-old tech to Americans (first iPhone didn’t even have 3G tech, a tech almost 10 years old in Japan); don’t buy US cars, since soon all will lack warranties with makers’ bankruptcies.

Japanese and Korean Americans could use 0 products made outside Japan and Korea and lack 0; Euros would live in the third world should they use 0 Japanese and Korean products. US and Europe could disappear tomorrow, and Japanese would still download at 1Gbps to their computers and at 4Mbps to their cell phones.
nemogbr

I’m a fan of the Avatar Series.

Guess one film, I won’t be watching.
Anonymous

The point isn’t even really that. I think the fans would have been happy with just one asian lead. I’m disapointed.
Pierre

Hi, I’m a Frenchman who reads this blog when I want to laugh at political correctness. This time I haven’t been disappointed. How fucked can one be if one doesn’t wanna watch a movie because of the skin colour of the actors that play in ?
Do you imagine white people doing the same in KKKommunist KKKina ? Would be laughed at, I presume. So get a fucking life, folks.
http://chopstix.wordpress.com/ Moye

Where is this “KKKina” country you speak of? Cause I’ve never heard of it.
Chen

I dont care. It was made by americans for the u.s market. None of the characters look asian anyway, but then neither do 90%+ of other anime charcters coming out of japan. .
nemogbr

@Pierre:

You would be okay with Tintin being played by a non-Frenchman? Perhaps an Asian star or perhaps by an African American?

Not sure, but the purist in me would be a tad put off.
kho

Who cares???!! You guys take things waaaay too seriously. As an Brown American so much of our culture has been stolen and duplicated and so on that it’s not even funny…then again… yeah, it is funny!!! Develop a sense of humor, shit happens and it’s commercialism so….get past it! It’s not the first time and it damn sure won’t be the last. Enjoy life and as a fan of all animation…a 46year old fan at that, I enjoy the watching The Avatar and it makes no difference what nationality Aang,or Zukko or Toph or any of the others are “supposed” to be, it’s a great animation and the story line flows well and that’s it!!! Get on with your life and leave the political debates to the more serious stuff the stuff that really affects you as a people!!!
nemogbr

Nothing to do with politics.

For instance:
The latest Indiana Jones films tops the gaffes list at 67.
One major error of the movie, which is set in 1957, includes a shot of a map featuring the country of Belize even though it was called British Honduras till 1973. Jones also drives a post-2000 Harley Davidson.

That film was expensive.

Did I enjoy the film? After ignoring the Harley, pretty much.

Do I enjoy my intelligence insulted at the film maker’s clumsiness? I would have to say NO!
Pingback: |Creative Differences Blog| » Yellowface racism in “Airbender”?
http://avatarstillsurvives.weebly.com ATLA Fan Club Pres.

Ok, here’s what I think.

I was upset about the casting when I first saw who they were. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized something.

First off, there’s the art of makeup. Compare some actors to the charaters they play, and you’d be very surprised on how different they are.

Secondly, IT’S A MOVIE! There’s always a chance of remakes by someone who will cast asian actors.

Also, we don’t even know what Noah looks like. This guy playing Aang could be asian. And I will laugh if he looks like him.

By the way, we all have got to realize that we are all part of the same world. So what if they’re not asian? I don’t think it matters anyway. Not all asians are white skinned, black hair. They differ as much as Americans do. I’ve been told numerous times I look like Katara, and I’m partially Scotish!

Then, there’s the important thing. We are ALL fans of Avatar, and at lease WE’RE GETTING A MOVIE! Come on guys, we should be happy! Our show has made it to the big screen!! Can’t we all just get along?

You can comment on my site about this. It’s http://www.avatarstillsurvives.weebly.com
http://chopstix.wordpress.com/ Moye

Whoa, I think you’re moving into dangerous waters about when you say you’re okay with using make-up on white actors to make them appear more Asian.
http://avatarstillsurvives.weebly.com ATLA Fan Club Pres.

Well think about it. Have you even seen any movies? I’m not talking about just face paint, I’m talking about the whole deal. Special effects, computer graphics, etc.
nemogbr

Dangerous waters indeed.

We have had several films where they used more eurocentric actors for the market:
Ben Kingsley for Gandhi
Keanu Reeves for Buddha
David Carradine for Kung Fu

The way they used makeup for Robert Downey Jr. in Tropic Thunder was pretty good. Then again, that was a comedy. The dude, playing a dude, playing another dude.

I understand the context of the films made thirty years ago. More prejudice and less communication. It is the 21st Century.

I thought we should have gone beyond Marlon Brando being applied makeup to look Okinawan.
http://avatarstillsurvives.weebly.com ATLA Fan Club Pres.

Well anyway, my point is maybe we’re all getting upset over nothing and the movie could be amazing. I mean, we haven’t even seen the final product yet, have we?
nemogbr

It could be or it could be another Hollywood travesty.

I’m reminded of Ursula K Leguin’s Wizard of Earthsea.

They turned it into a miniseries.

The writer disowned the film. I hired the DVD. Turned it off after 10 minutes. THat was 10 minutes of my life, I’ll never get back.

I’m a fan of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire. They should have named the film something else.

My position is that we as fans should watch these so-called film producers to ensure they do not make the film an insult to us.

This film will either break the vision of Avatar or will gain it more fans. So far, not very impressed with their decisions.
http://avatarstillsurvives.weebly.com ATLA Fan Club Pres.

I agree. I’m really not gonna take sides on this one, however I think we all should be optimistic. Anyone seen 10,000 BC? The people playing in it don’t look anything like their characters! Maybe we shouldn’t be upset on the casting, maybe we need to look into the makeup artists.
nemogbr

10,000BC was another film that was a disappointment. Boring.

Lets see:
I Robot. = turned it off.
I am Legend. = Boy was I annoyed.
Does Will Smith even read the books before taking on the roles???..sheeesh..

Thank you Hollywood for ruining some of my books!!!! If you can’t be faithful to the legend. Then change the dam*ned TITLE!

There are now calls to turn these characters gay:
TINTIN
Samwise of Lord of the Rings fame along with Legolas and Gimli.

I admit, a segment of the population would be happy.

Perhaps they should do the same with one of the Avatar characters?

I know this film will cater for the so-called Western Countries and they believe it will work with White actors playing the roles. They should really remove their blinders.
http://www.whoiskelland.com Paul Bens

Whoa, I think you’re moving into dangerous waters about when you say you’re okay with using make-up on white actors to make them appear more Asian.

Amen!

As someone who remembers the whole “Miss Saigon” fiasco and the “Remo Williams” fiasco, suggesting causian actors can be put in yellow face is a very, very slippery slope. Asian Americans are marginalized in American media anyway. Some producer gets the idea that *anyone* thinks yellowfacing is OK, we’re gonna end up with fewer Asian American actors employed and a lot of white folks running around in bad make-up. It’ll also give Hollywood another reason to cry “Oh, there aren’t enough Asian American actors to choose from.” Which is total crap and, IMO, really, really offensive.

I’d hoped we’d gotten past the days when anyone thought it was OK to take a Mickey Rooney, Joel Grey, Marlon Brando, Jonathan Pryce and slap some prostethics on them. I really, really hope we have.
nemogbr

Wonder what would the uproar have been like if they had decided to cast a non-Black actor for “Blade”.

I’m certain other purist, like myself, would have been a tad upset.
http://chopstix.wordpress.com/ Moye

ATLA Fan Club, I can’t help but disagree with you. Focusing on the make-up artists seems really misguided; they’re hired as part of a crew to put together the vision of the director–in this case, if Shyamalan wanted his all-white cast to look more Asian, then we’d have to take this issue up with him. It all starts with the casting, NOT the makeup.

And I don’t understand why you think it’s okay. I understand your point that the movie hasn’t even been made yet, but the casting news has revealed that the fans and viewers of the show have a VERY different perspective on the show than the producers in Hollywood.

This is just another movie in the long cinema history of Hollywood white-washing stories to make it more appealing to a wider audience. It’s offensive. I mean, we have a great and original storyline with a strong audience, but the first thing they change is the racial aspect of the show–which ironically (in my opinion) was probably a strong aspect that attracted its fans.

Plus, I was really disappointed that the people in 10,000 BC didn’t even look like the cavemen from The Far Side. Who thought that giving a bunch of people dreadlocks would make them look more prehistoric? Give me my protruding eyebrow bones and jawlines, please.
http://avatarstillsurvives.weebly.com ATLA Fan Club Pres.

Shesh, what is ya’ll’s problem I’m on your side! I agree, the whole point of Avatar(well, pretty much) was unity among nations. And yes, we’re all angry about the casting, however, why don’t we all unite and be happy for once! I’m only trying to look at this in an optimistic view instead of mopping around like you people!

I hate the casting. None of the actors look like the characters. But really, what’s the use in getting angry?? IT’S JUST A STINKIN MOVIE!!!!! It’s not like this IS the show’s future!

And the way you all are acting is truly sad….I’ve had enough!!!! Can’t we all just get along and be glad Avatar has made it this far???
http://www.whoiskelland.com Paul G. Bens, Jr.

And the way you all are acting is truly sad….I’ve had enough!!!!

Uhm…I thought the conversation here was actually pretty civilized (except for a few comments way up the thread) especially internet wise. ATLA, I don’t particularly feel anyone was being harsh with you or being mean to you at all. Heck, this is probably one of the most civil discussions I’ve ever seen on the internet.. However, there is a long history of exclusion of Asian American from American media and long history of “yellow facing,” both topics which, IMO, warrant discussion.

Yes Avatar is a great show. Yes, it is based on Asian culture and Asian themes and, ironically, it is a show about getting along and “how we are alike far outweighs our differences.” Yet, the culture which inspired the show has effectively been cut out of the equation by casting all white leads. The joy of diversity the show has in it is being excised from the movie. That’s not something to be ignored at all. You certainly can be excited about the movie, but for others this is just another slap in the face and discussion of it doesn’t negate how you feel. It’s a discussion.

@Moye: I appreciated the point you made about reappropriation of culture. Gave me a lot to think about.
nemogbr

@ATLA

It might be the show’s future. The Star Trek franchise could have ended up in the dustbin if Rodenberry was not adamant in his views about his vision.

The same with Star Wars. I know that the new films had their detractors, but Spielberg’s Universe still exists.

I liked the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and Harry Potter. Both film series do not compare to the books, but the producers were aware of FanATIC sensibilities.

Spielberg is now in the process of producing The Adventures of Tintin. I read the graphic novels as a kid. I do know that he treats artist sensibilities with respect, but I would be watching what he does to a beloved series.
http://avatarstillsurvives.weebly.com ATLA Fan Club Pres.

To Paul J. Bens jr. i’m saying it isn’t civilized, I’m just trying to make a point. I’m angry at the casting just as much as you are, however I’ve discussed this with some friends and they say that, “even though we all hate the casting, M Night Shymalan is spending millions of dollars to make a movie FOR US.” If that doesn’t get my point across, I don’t think anything will. yes the casting sucks, but is that a reason to turn our backs on Avatar? Is that a reason to write hate letters to him? Is that a reason to get angry and upset like we are? Why don’t we do the right thing here and be thankful. We asked for this in the first place.
Meredith

@ ATLA FCP

They’ve betrayed the original vision of the show by this casting. They’re not making the film for us, they’re making it for themselves. To make money. Our money. I won’t take the moldy scraps and be thankful. I care too much about this issue to just let it go.

I’ll always be a fan of the series. But I hate how the movie misrepresents it and squanders this opportunity. This is the godawful Earthsea mini all over again.
http://avatarstillsurvives.weebly.com ATLA Fan Club Pres.

See, exactly what I’m talking about. Maybe we all need to take a lesson from our own show.

Shesh we’re all people. Can’t we get along? The casting upset me so I tried to find a site where other people expressed their feelings on the subject. I was shocked when I saw the comments. Angry over a casting. A casting! You know I was just as upset however I thought this was ridculious so I commented an optimistic view and BAM! look at the responses. It’s like none of you are even trying to look on the bright side.

lol forget this. It’s getting out of hand.

God bless all fans of Avatar, and God bless M Night Shymalan!
http://www.whoiskelland.com Paul G. Bens, Jr.

lol forget this. It’s getting out of hand. God bless all fans of Avatar, and God bless M Night Shymalan!

Wow. That’s all I have to say. Just wow.
http://www.jozjozjoz.com jozjozjoz

Hmmm…

http://aang-aint-white.livejournal.com/646.html
http://avatarstillsurvives.weebly.com ATLA Fan Club Pres.

lol I can’t leave I love debating. (don’t worry, I’ll drop it down a level.)

So, I think the different cultures is a big deal in Avatar. Unity among nations, that whole thing. So technically, you’d suspect that M Night would chose people of different cultures right? Naturally. So why’d he pick just white? I think we all have some unanswered questions. But if these actors portray the characters well, then we have nothing to worry about. However with the people he picked this is questionable. I mean, I’m trying to look at the bright side, but even now it does seem a little far fetched. Nothing against the actors but….still….

Then again, we don’t know who this Noah Ringer is. Perhaps he is Asian, and at least the main charcter can be portrayed correctly.

IDK. This I’m not sure I’m gonna pick a side just yet. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out.
Alyssa

How hard is it to find people that look like the characters? I thought they were holding auditions, not just pulling stars out of a hat. Something so obvious should be taken seriously. The creators & Shyamalan should’ve known that the fans would be dissapointed at their poor choices. I hope they change their minds or they’re gonna have a low blow below the belt at the box office. I thought they were making the series into movies because of the fan’s love for the show? But they aren’t doing a good job at all…..
http://avatarstillsurvives.weebly.com ATLA Fan Club Pres.

I agree. Maybe they really are just not tryng.
p33mp

T TL Fn Clb Prs…

jst dmt y r stpd crckr…

wld w vn b hvng ths stpd “dbt” f vtr ws bsd n frcn trbs nd cltrs?

th prdcrs wld nt hv th gts t cst wht ppl nd pnt thm blck nd gv thm frs… t ply frcn chrctrs…

pprntly Yllw Fc s fn wth y… hv y hrd f BLCK FCE?? wld y cst wht ppl t str n lv ctn dpttn f th BNDCKS?

jst bcs ths mv s bsd n sns… n n s scrd t mrgnlz s nd rplc s wth wht ppl…

F … nd g bck t yr trlr…
p33mp

to ATLA Fan Club Pres,

just admit you are racist

we would not be having this “debate” if Avatar was based on African tribes, martial arts and cultures…

So everyone’s argument are moot… hollywood would not dare mess with Black folks… but asians are fair game