ET’s Ash Crossan spoke with Daniel Daniel Dae Kim and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee about the new adaptation of ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender,’ now streaming on Netflix.
The risky scene in Netflix’s “Avatar: The Last Airbender” adaptation involves no elements or flying, but a simple funeral scene in Episode 4. This scene represents a deviation from and homage to the original animated series, adding new twists while respecting the source material. The original series, with 20 episodes per season, gradually revealed character depths, including those of Fire Nation characters. We learn deep into the original series that General Iroh, once a formidable general, lost his son Lu Ten, leading to one of the series’ most poignant moments. The funeral scene in the Netflix adaptation does not attempt to replicate the original’s graveside moment, opting for a fresh approach while maintaining familiarity. Showrunner Albert Kim and composer Takeshi Furukawa aimed for a “fresh, but familiar” feeling, with the score bridging the original and new adaptation. The scene uses a flashback to Lu Ten’s funeral, showing Iroh (played by Paul Sun-Hyung Lee) alone and expressionless, contrasted with a young Zuko offering platitudes.
