Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender which is the live-action version of the popular Nickelodeon animated series, released in February 2024 and has already created a lot of talking points including receiving mixed responses regarding some significant modifications to certain characters. Now, one month into its premier, the series has rekindled old debates regarding the legacy of Uncle Iroh, his younger brother Ozai, and their association with the Fire Lord title.
While the original show saw Ozai ascending the throne, there was a lot that was left unexplained as to how he attained this status over his elder brother. Avatar: The Last Airbender actors Paul Sun-Hyung Lee and Daniel Dae Kim who portray these two key characters in the live-action series, expressed their desire to settle these doubts once and for all through the show.
Avatar: The Last Airbender Stars Want This Crucial Plot To Be Explained
While the live-action series Avatar: The Last Airbender has been receiving some criticisms for certain aspects of its execution when compared to the original show, it still provided some nostalgic moments for hardcore fans of the franchise. One of the key elements of the plot that viewers believed remained a mystery even in the animated show, was the legacy of the Fire Lord.
Based on facts, Uncle Iroh was the ideal candidate to have taken over this title by virtue of being the eldest son of Lord Azulon. But according to events that unfolded in the Nickelodeon series, Azulon, on his death-bed, wished to see his younger son Ozai ascend the throne.
But many viewers believed that there was more to this story which warranted a deep-dive into the relationship of the two brothers. One of these theories involved Ozai killing his father to forcefully attain the title of Fire Lord. Paul Sun-Hyung Lee and Daniel Dae Kim who portray Uncle Iroh and Ozai, felt that the series would do well to shed more light upon this conundrum through their characters. Speaking to The Radio Times, Kim said,
“I would really love to see a scene between us where we address the fact that I am the younger brother and actually talk about the succession and how it turned out the way it did.”
With the series having got the green signal for season 2, it remains to be seen if this crucial aspect of the narrative will be elaborated upon in greater detail.
This Scene In Avatar: The Last Airbender Was Emotional For These Two Actors
A lot of the backlash directed at Avatar: The Last Airbender dealt with certain creative liberties that were not welcomed with open arms by fans. Despite these questions, the actors in the Netflix show believed wholeheartedly in the narrative and its adherence to the 2005 animated series.
For Paul Sun-Hyung Lee who plays Uncle Iroh and Dallas Liu who plays Prince Zuko, the uncle-nephew relationship that they shared was a powerful and significant one. As integral characters to the Fire Nation narrative in the series, both actors were emotionally drawn to one particular scene in the 4th episode in which Prince Zuko consoles Uncle Iroh on the death of his son Lu Ten.
After Live Action Series, Avatar the Last Airbender to Also be Adapted into a Multiplayer Video Game
At this juncture, the background score echoes the haunting strains of the song Leaves From The Vine. The song playing at this particular moment was significant as it was the same tune that was used in the 2005 animated series. It was also a melody that was intrinsically associated with the sentiments of the Fire Nation and held a special place in the hearts of fans. Speaking of getting goosebumps, Lee told Los Angeles Times,
“That wrecked me”
Liu who was equally emotional about the moment, added,
“I only just heard the [new] song in December. I started imagining our scene and [it] killed me”
Both actors revealed that they were big fans of the 2005 animated series and believed that the show had set a really high standard to emulate. They felt grateful to have been presented with the opportunity to honor the original in their unique way. Unfortunately, fans currently seem to think otherwise.
Avatar: The Last Airbender is streaming on Netflix.
