New Avatar movie will not feature original Katara voice actor
There’s a lot of new content set in the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender coming our way. Netflix is developing a live-action remake or the beloved Nickelodeon series without original showrunners Michael DiMartino and Brian Konetzko, who are working on a number of animated projects for Paramount. There is supposedly a new show focusing on the Earth Avatar who comes after Korra, as well as three animated films slated to come out over the next several years. The first of these movies will focus on older versions of the original cast, and according to a new Awards Radar interview with original Katara voice actor Mae Whitman, the characters will have new voices.
While promoting her new show Up Here, Whitman took a stroll down memory lane when she was asked about her hopes for Katara in the upcoming projects. “Katara is another one who is a huge part of who I am, and I feel so honored about having had the opportunity to play her,” Whitman said. “I’m excited that we get to see a new iteration of her. A new version of who she is. And to have actors come in, who honestly fit the role much better.
"I’m so happy to pass the torch on, I’m so thrilled to be a part of her growth and I feel it’s important for us all to grow. For us to move on towards things that are more true and honest. I’m thrilled to have a little piece of that in my heart, forever, and I really can’t wait to see where she goes next."
Whitman confirmed that she will not be returning to voice the older Katara, and it also sounds like none of the other actors will be returning.
Why won’t the original cast from Avatar: The Last Airbender return for the movie?
Rumors suggest that this film will be taking place 12 years after the original show, when the characters ranged in age from 12-16; Katara was 14 in the original series, so she’d be 26 in the new movie.
It makes sense to recast these characters as they age up, like they did in flashback scenes from The Legend of Korra. The characters have had over a decade’s worth of experience, so the original actors’ voices may not match them anymore.
Next. Every actor in Netflix’s Avatar: the Last Airbender remake (and who they’re playing). dark
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