{"id":44816,"date":"2024-01-30T13:23:30","date_gmt":"2024-01-30T12:23:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1982627"},"modified":"2024-01-30T18:00:35","modified_gmt":"2024-01-30T17:00:35","slug":"avatar-the-last-airbender-star-says-sokka-is-less-sexist-in-remake","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/avatar-the-last-airbender-star-says-sokka-is-less-sexist-in-remake\/","title":{"rendered":"Avatar: The Last Airbender star says Sokka is less \u201csexist\u201d in remake"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fans are worried his character development could be impacted. <\/p>

By David Craig\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 30 January 2024 at 12:23 PM<\/p>

\n\n

The star of Netflix\u2019s live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender<\/a> has stirred up some controversy among fans by suggesting that one character\u2019s initial sexist tendencies have been removed from the adaptation.<\/p>\n

Up-and-coming actor Kiawentiio, who plays waterbender Katara, gave an interview to Entertainment Weekly<\/a> about the changes deemed necessary for reimagining the Nickelodeon franchise for a new generation.<\/p>\n

One specific element was the sexism that Katara\u2019s brother, Sokka (Ian Ousley), displays in the original version, remarking that \u201cguys are better at hunting and fighting\u201d while \u201cgirls are better at fixing pants\u201d, among other statements.<\/p>\n

Kiawentiio suggested this aspect of the character has been toned down, or potentially removed entirely, from the live-action version.<\/p>

She explained: \u201cI 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].\u201d<\/p>\n

Co-star Ousley concurred: \u201cThere\u2019s more weight with realism in every way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some fans have reacted with concern over the suggestion of Sokka\u2019s problematic comments being removed, arguing that his character arc sees him shed these sexist views over time as he realises how wrong they are.<\/p>\n

With the series still three weeks away, it remains to be seen to what degree this aspect of his characterisation has been modified or which other internal flaws could be introduced as a substitute.<\/p>\n

\"Gordon\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Gordon Cormier as Avatar.<\/span><\/figcaption> Netflix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Sokka\u2019s general sense of humour and position as comic relief have been retained, however, with Ousley assuring it was important to him for the character to be \u201cfunny\u201d.<\/p>\n

This was a crucial component removed from the earlier live-action adaptation by director M Night Shyamalan, in which Twilight<\/a>\u2018s Jackson Rathbone played a more stoic and severe version of the character \u2013 to the disapproval of fans.<\/p>\n

The Avatar: The Last Airbender cast<\/a> also includes Gordon Cormier as Aang, Dallas Liu as Prince Zuko, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as General Iroh, Elizabeth Yu as Princess Azula and Daniel Dae Kim as Fire Lord Ozai.<\/p>\n