Comments on: New ‘The Last Airbender’ Production Stills Featuring Jackson Rathbone!

By: Skeezoid

Skeezoid — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:31:43 +0000

For one Sokka uses a ball-headed war club. You ever seen any Eskimos or Inuits using a ball-headed war club? Oh what's that? You've seen American Indian, such as the Algonquin, Iroquois or other Eastern Woodland peoples using such war clubs? Of course, because that's where Sokka's specific type of war club comes from: American Indians. So if Sokka is supposed to be Asian but can use items from other cultures, such as the aforementioned war club or the boomerang, which is usually associated with Australian Aborigines, then we can assume that the characters from Airbender are non-Asians utilizing Oriental outfits and consuming Oriental food.

By: SC~3rd_Wife(TeamSM)

SC~3rd_Wife(TeamSM) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 10:48:39 +0000

Actually you replied to me. Here's the thing. I know you are new here, so I just want to inform you we all try to get along here and accept that we don't all have the same opinions and still maintain friendly, mature discussions.

You are obviously not going to see my points, and I certainly won't agree to yours and I really don't feel like replying to your ever comment up there, but I will say this:

Yes, I have seen the show, in it's entirety, owning all three seasons. The show was created by Caucasian Americans who wanted to create a MYTHICAL story and used Asian influences for their art and fighting styles. I know this because I've seen them in interviews.

That's all of my time I am giving on this and would just like to reiterate: If you would like to be welcomed on this site, calm down and lighten up - and welcome to the gang! Otherwise, please move on to one of those angry sites where people fight all the time...

BTW - this is an old one, but I love it still "Fighting on the internet is like Special Olympics. Even if you win you are still retarded"

By: HyperactiveGrasshopper

HyperactiveGrasshopper — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 07:32:42 +0000

First of all, I was not calling in to question your intelligence. I was merely making a suggestion that you can do with what you will. Secondly, I too have a fast paced life. Please don't think that because I actually try to write in English that I don't. Thirdly, you know nothing about my friends, who they are, and what race they are. Don't make assumptions. I'm not saying that some Asians weren't offended but from what I saw most of the anti-casting was originated from non-Asians. Perhaps I missed something and Asian groups/individuals spoke out; I'm not perfect. But please take your own advice and open your mind. Have you seen some of the stuff that Noah Ringer can do? That kid is amazing. As for Meagan Good and Alex Rodriguez, if they were cast as Bella and Edward I most certainly would have been confused because of the emphasis put on the extent of Bella and Edward's respective paleness. This doesn't make me a racist or a sterotyper. Race is NEVER mentioned in Avatar: The Last Airbender other than the respective nations. It's an American created show (created, I should mention by two white men) with Asian themes. That does not mean that the roles are necessarily Asian; while it is plausible, it isn't necessarily the case. Both creators are executive producing this movie and have a say in what happens. If it was agreed that the actors chosen were the right ones for the role, then I can only trust that judgement until I see the movie and judge for myself.
I would like to make it clear that I have no problem with you arguing your point. As long as mine is respected, I will respect that of others.

By: Spectra

Spectra — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 06:43:56 +0000

Actually you were arguing about racism in the movie and in movie industry. It really doesn't matter if you were talking to me or not, as I'm a moderator trying to keep this topic on track. Thank you.

By: iluvrobsten

iluvrobsten — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 02:05:54 +0000

Sorry about the improper grammer but dnt expect it to get any better with this post. i was in a rush. i haf a very fast paced life i txt often and send emails using txt terms and i dnt capitalize or punctuate. obviously since you responded with such a meticulous post you could understand what i was sayin. im not gonna sit here and waste my time typin out every period. this is not an english paper thank you. SECONDLY i dnt need you to tell me what inspired means. im a very educated person just because im not using it now doesnt mmean im not. also just because you and your white friends and close knit of asian friends think its ok doesnt mean the whole world does. plz open your mind. i was sayin many asians are not ok with this. i was stickin up for them. im not trying to say this is a race thing like you think. its just a big part of the movie.since were on this site i can use this example: lets say the twilight cast just came out and they were cast by black people (lets pic megan good as bella and alex rodrigues) (hispanic since his skin tones a little paler hmmm) for edward) but wait a sec! everyone knows edward and bella are supposed to be white right? but who are we kidding? i mean isn't it a stereotype that just because it says pale for edward that they need to cast a white person. i mean technically alex is paler than meagan so its all good. NOT as ridiculous as this sounds its equivalent to the ridiculousness of casting white ppl for very obvious asian roles. and dnt lie to yourself . you know good and well you wouldnt be okay with this. im not judging the movvie. im gonna see it and the commercials look great theres just an essential part missing. also this movie is not just about martial arts and nowhere in my response did i say only asians can be cast for these type of movies. but common sense says that if theres a show full of asians you cast asians in your movie. i ddnt come here to argue about racebending but trust me if your gonna argue i WILL make my point.

By: iluvrobsten

iluvrobsten — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 01:43:30 +0000

actually were talking about the last airbender correct? ok so i wasnt talkin to u in the first place i was responding to hyperactive grasshopper. if sumones gonna argue with me im gonna make my point. THANK YOU

By: Alice Whitlock 111

Alice Whitlock 111 — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:48:38 +0000

I totally miss that haircut and the clean-shaven face. Jackson darling, you're gorgeous enough, don't hide it behind a beard. <33

By: HyperactiveGrasshopper

HyperactiveGrasshopper — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:40:16 +0000

First and foremost, if you're trying to make an arguement for your point of view, I would suggest that, in the future, you try and use proper grammar and punctuation. I'm sorry if this seems rude, because that is not my intention, but I believe that doing so will only help. Most people won't even bother reading your reply if they have to read it multiple times to understand it.
Now, as for the topic at hand, you do bring up some very valid points that I -as someone who is essentially addicted to the show and is looking very much forward to this movie- can admit. Yes, the show is asian INSPIRED and the animation is very reminsicent of anime. Yes, Aang's hair in season 3 was black. Yes, Hollywood does have a tendency to cast caucasian actors in movies. However, for the most part in those movies, race really isn't an issue.
First, "inspired" means that there is room for interpretation. For instance, I noticed while watching the show that Asian culture was prominent but I never really thought of any of the characters in terms of race. The same goes for all of my friends who are fans of the show (several of whom are Asian and have no problem with the casting choices). Second, just because Aang's hair is black and not blonde doesn't mean that he is necessarily Asian over Caucasian. Many caucasians have naturally dark hair that is almost black.
As for Hollywood's "whitewashing" there are more characters in The Last Airbender then Sokka, Katara, Aang, and Zuko. All of the Nations are made up of different races, as studio exectutives have stated and the teaser trailers have, to some extent, shown. The story is more important then race in this case.
In all honesty the "controversy" surrounding this movie is free press. Some people might "boycott" the movie but most will probably go and see it just to see what the fuss is about.
Is Hollywood really so sterotyped that only Asians can be cast in a martial arts movie? Such movies should only be vehicles for the "next Bruce Lee?" Many of the anti-casters that I have come across have said this to some extent and this seems more racist to me than casting white actors in racially ambiguous roles.
Can't we just give the movie a chance before someone decides to rip it to shreds? If someone sees the movie and hates it, that's fine, but to not even give it a chance just because of the ethnicities of the cast makes little sense. So far everything that I have seen looks good.

By: Spectra

Spectra — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:45:58 +0000

This isn't the correct forum for your argument, please take it elsewhere. Let's stick the topic of the blog post. Thank you.

By: alexis

alexis — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:19:02 +0000

HAHAHHAHAHAH i would laugh SOOOOOOO hard if this movie AND eclipse get nominated for best teen movie or something HAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHH lol im pretty sure eclipse would win tho…… still…AHAHHAHAHHAAHAH