Key Takeaways:
– Dallas Liu, who plays Prince Zuko in Netflix’s live-action adaptation of ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender,’ expresses a desire for more exploration of his character’s backstory.
– Liu hopes the relationship between his character and his mother, Ursa, will be further explored in the series.
– He suggests that production for season 2 should commence as soon as possible due to the rapid growth of co-star Gordon Cormier.
– The live-action series has been largely acclaimed by fans, with future seasons already confirmed by Netflix.
In any adaptation of a beloved franchise, subtle shifts and reimaginings are to be expected. In the case of Netflix’s live-action adaptation of ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender,’ Dallas Liu, the actor who portrays the character Prince Zuko, has some ideas about how he’d like the show to evolve.
Wanting More Depth for Zuko’s Character
Liu, who brought the scarred and banished Prince Zuko to life in the popular Netflix series, recently shared his thoughts on the potential growth and development of his character. In an interview with The Direct, he expressed a desire for the series to delve deeper into Zuko’s backstory, especially focusing on his relationship with his family, most notably his mother, Ursa.
Liu stated, “One thing that would be really cool to me is if they touched on Zuko and Azula’s mother more in our series… That’d be cool to get to see Azula’s relationship with her mom.”
Ursa’s Untold Story
In the original animated series, created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko and broadcasted from 2005 to 2008, Ursa’s story was somewhat glossed over. As an absent figure in the royal family, showing how she was separated from the family might provide an interesting addition and could improve understanding of Zuko’s dynamics with his family.
The Urgency to Start Season 2 Production
One of the complexities of working with young actors is matching their natural growth to the characters they portray, a concern Liu noted in the same interview. He shared his fears about co-star Gordon Cormier, who plays Aang, growing noticeably between seasons and stressed the importance of starting season two’s production as soon as possible.
“Gosh, Gordon [Cormier’s] getting so big, bro. We got to get it done. I want to say–I’d love… This is what I’m hoping for. I’m hoping that we start at least before August…” said Liu, underscoring the timing pressures faced by production.
Mixed Reactions and the Future of the Series
Despite the live-action adaptation drawing mixed reviews from critics regarding its storyline and performances, fans have generally given the show thumbs up. The beloved series has been renewed by Netflix for a second and currently streams the first season on its platform. With anticipation for the second season high, fans will no doubt be interested to see whether Liu’s hopes for his character come to pass. They may indeed discover a deeper, more nuanced Prince Zuko when season two premieres.
