Set to release on February 22, Avatar: The Last Airbender is ready to make its live-action debut on Netflix featuring Ian Ousley. Based on the 2005 animated series of the same name, the upcoming show is said to tone down Sokka’s sexism in order to live up to today’s culture.
However, this report about opting out of the sexist part of Sokka’s character didn’t sit well with the audience. In the midst of public outrage, Ian Ousley sat for an interview with Metro UK and noted that although the sexism is being toned down, it won’t affect the essence of the character.
Avatar: The Last Airbender to Tone Down Sokka’s Sexism
After the 2005 hit animated show Avatar the Last Airbender, about four elemental nations and their war with each other got popular among audiences, almost two decades later Netflix decided to capitalize on the opportunity by creating a live-action show. Therefore in 2024, Netflix planned to bring back the iconic animation show about the one Avatar restoring peace among the four elemental nations, as Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Starring Ian Ousley, Kiawentiio, and others, the show is set to feature all the fan-favorite characters Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Zuko in the live-action show. Set to premiere on February 22, the show will bring back the story of the individual with the power to harness the four elements. But meanwhile, it was reported in an interview with EW, that the Netflix show will tone down Sokka’s sexism to meet the requirements of today’s culture.
“I feel like we also took out the element of how sexist [Sokka] was. I feel like there were a lot of moments in the original show that were iffy… There are things that were redirected just because it might play a little differently [in live action].” Kiawentiio shared.
Revealing how the upcoming show toned down Sokka’s sexist characteristics because it wasn’t considered suitable for modern audiences, Avatar: The Last Airbender is said to feature more differences than the original animation. But fans simply appear to be concerned about the remake toning down Sokka’s sexism.
After Live Action Series, Avatar the Last Airbender to Also be Adapted into a Multiplayer Video Game
Ian Ousley Sets Record Straight After Public Outrage
Following the interview with EW, that revealed the notable changes that are to feature in the remake, fans started revolting against them. Majorly focusing their outrage on Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender toning down Sokka’s sexism, fans called out the upcoming show. Therefore, Ian Ousley sat for an interview with Metro UK to clarify the previous comments from Kiawentiio.
Infuriated fans claimed that Sokka’s sexism is a key aspect of his character development, which led him to realize how stupid his sexist views were. Noticing such comments from fans, Ian Ousley stressed that the ones who are worried about drastic changes can stay calm, for the upcoming remake won’t be tampering with the character’s essence.
“I think that the essence of the character that Sokka is, is 100% the character that is portrayed in the live-action version of the show. I think the fans are a little worried that there’s going to be changes in who Sokka is, and I don’t really think that’s been the case at all in our show.”
“Obviously it’s different from an animated show to a live-action in those ways, but the heart and soul of the animation show is the breath that we’re all playing into. I think that we’ve turned those in different directions in the way that… we can’t fit every single arc of every single thing from the animated show. But the essence of him is still there.”
Discussing that just like Sokka has been an “overprotective older brother” in the animated show, similarly even in the remake Ian Ousley stated that the character will showcase such characteristics. Eventually, Ousley promised that Avatar: The Last Airbender would feature Sokka getting “humbled in ways and learns that women can be powerful.” Now it’s only a matter of time until audiences finally witness the significant changes made in the remake (if any).
Avatar: The Last Airbender is set to debut on February 22, on Netflix.
