Jason Isaacs is best recognized for his portrayal of Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies. He has been acting for over three decades, appearing in various films, TV shows, and stage productions.
Isaacs voiced the character Zhao in seven episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nearly eight years later, he returned to the franchise for a cameo appearance as the same character in one episode of The Legend of Korra (set in the fictional world of Avatar: The Last Airbender).
Apart from Harry Potter film series, Isaacs is best known for his role as Michael D. Steele in Black Hawk Down (2001), and Captain Hook in Peter Pan (2003).
However, what some fans may not know is that the actor landed his role in Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender partly due to one of his own successful $215 million films!
How Did Jason Isaacs’s Own Film Lead Him to Get Cast in Avatar: The Last Airbender?
The creators of Avatar: The Last Airbender got the idea for Zhao from various sources. They wanted a character who was skilled in firebending but also power-hungry and arrogant.
When the creators were brainstorming the character of Zhao, they wanted someone who could be both dignified and menacing. They looked to Jason Isaacs‘ roles for inspiration, especially his character in The Patriot. They liked how Isaac portrayed someone regal yet practical in the film.
In 2000, Isaacs starred in the historical epic opposite Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger, playing sadistic cavalry officer Colonel William Tavington. So, the casting director used these comparisons to guide the search for the right actor. Luckily, Isaacs was available for the role at that time.
The creators of the series initially thought the actor would be a good fit for Zhao’s voice because they wanted someone who wouldn’t overdo it.
They saw Isaacs as a solid choice for portraying a military man without being too exaggerated. This fits well with the character of Zhao, especially when compared to the intense portrayal of Fire Lord Ozai by Mark Hamill.
This choice of Zhao’s voice allowed his character to develop over the season. He became more egotistical as the season progressed, which made his claim of being ‘Zhao the Moon Slayer’ in the finale more satisfying to see (especially considering his origins).
Jason Isaacs Brought Many Characters to Life Beyond Avatar: The Last Airbender
Though Ken Leung portrayed Admiral Zhao in Netflix’s recent adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender, it was Jason Isaacs who originally brought the character to life.
But that wasn’t the only animated project for the Liverpool native. Isaacs also did voice acting in other animations, such as playing the Grand Inquisitor in Star Wars Rebels and the Judge in Castlevania.
The actor is now set to star in the upcoming third season of the Emmy award-winning show, The White Lotus. Created by Mike White, the series is mainly set to film in Bangkok, Phuket, and Koh Samui for this season.
During an HBO and Max presentation, Chairman and CEO of HBO, Casey Bloys, confirmed (via Elle) that the series has been pushed to a 2025 release.
Watch Avatar: The Last Airbender on Netflix.
