The Netflix reboot of Avatar: The Last Airbender revived not only the hype for the franchise but also the long list of Hollywood celebrities who partook in the original animated series.
Surely, many fans are not aware that some of these characters from Avatar: The Last Airbender and its sequel, The Legend of Korra, were voiced by famous celebrities. Would you believe Star Wars alum Mark Hamill voiced Fire Lord Ozai? Yes, and many other names will definitely shock you!
Serena Williams
Former tennis player Serena Williams worked on Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra. She played a Fire Nation prison guard called Ming and a female sage in the sequel series.
Williams confessed to being a huge fan of the Avatar franchise. In fact, she previously shared a message to the new cast of the Netflix show: “May your flames burn bright, earth beneath you stay steady, air lifts your spirits, and water flows smoothly through every scene.”
Steven Yeun
Known for his role in The Walking Dead, Steven Yeun joined The Legend of Korra as the first Avatar. The character appeared in two episodes during the show’s second season.
Executive producer Bryan Konietzko told WIRED, “Steve’s vocal quality and acting can range from an innocent, naïve young man, to a trickster anti-hero, and all the way to a full-fledged action hero.” Yeun’s portrayal was the first time fans had a closer look at the very first person who took the mantle of the Avatar.
J.K. Simmons
Oscar-winning actor J.K. Simmons was the voice of Tenzin in The Legend of Korra. The character was of high status being a leader and an airbending master, and the studio needed someone who can play it with authority and conviction.
During an interview with Comic Book Movie, Simmons revealed that he auditioned for the role, and the element he wants to control is air: “That way you can basically fly, which is my favorite G-rated fantasy.”
Rami Malek
Bohemian Rhapsody star Rami Malek was also involved in The Legend of Korra as Tahno. This will definitely come as a surprise for most fans since, at the time, Malek was not as popular as he is now. His breakthrough role came in 2015 after he starred in Mr. Robot.
Aubrey Plaza
Aubrey Plaza went to play Eska in The Legend of Korra. Funnily enough, both Plaza and the Northern Water Tribe princess share the same type of humor and dislike for people.
In a video interview via WIRED, Plaza admitted she had no remembrance of appearing in the show: “A bunch of tiny children once followed me home and said, ‘We love you on The Last Airbender. You’re the Ice Princess. And I had no, zero recollection of doing that voiceover, but apparently, I did it for years.” Well, technically, she was in The Legend of Korra.
Ron Perlman
Hellboy actor Ron Perlman was the voice of Sozin in Avatar: The Last Airbender, who is also known as the instigator of the Hundred Year War. He is a ruthless Fire Nation leader and a formidable force of evil.
Jason Isaacs
Lucius Malfoy actor Jason Isaacs has a penchant for playing villains. He portrayed Fire Nation leader Zhao, who was hell-bent on going after the Avatar.
Fun fact: during the creation process of the character of Zhao, the creators of Avatar: The Last Airbender took inspiration from Isaacs’ filmography, and the qualities they borrowed from his movie characters became the guide for the casting director. In the end, the part went to Isaacs.
