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The voice actor chosen for a beloved villain inAvatar: The Last Airbenderwas originally picked because he reminded the creators of another iconic villainous performance.
It’s pretty amazing, how the casting director forAvatar: The Last Airbenderactually got Jason Isaacs to voice Zhao! This wasn’t just about getting a famous actor; it meant getting the exact person who inspired the character. Isaacs’ performance really captures Zhao’s ruthlessness, making him a serious threat to Aang and his friends.
Zhao begins as a top officer and later becomes a strong Admiral in the Fire Nation Navy. He’s driven by a desire for glory and conquest, who’s ready to do whatever it takes to make it happen.
How DidHarry PotterActor End up JoiningAvatar: The Last AirbenderUniverse
Hollywood heavyweights likeJason Isaacs(Lucius Malfoy inHarry Potter) andMark Hamill(Luke Skywalker inStar Wars) likely saw the potential in the show and wanted to be a part of something special. But how did the creators ofAvatar: The Last Airbendermanage to snag such talent?
The answer lies in the show’s great storytelling and reputation. When a show is well-written and popular, it attracts talented actors who want to be a part of it.
“We never assumed it was something we would ever get away with”: Avatar: The Last Airbender Creators Set a Milestone With Korra at Great Risk to Avoid a Regret 20 Years Later
Michael Dante DiMartino, co-creator of the show, shared in a 2012 interview withIGNthat he drew inspiration for the character of Zhao fromIsaacs’ captivating performance in The Patriot. The 49-year-old creator said:
“We’ve been honored to work with such a great group of actors. From the main cast on down, all the actors have infused their characters with a lot of emotional depth. When I was first writing dialogue for the character of Zhao, I was inspired by Jason Isaacs’ chilling performance as the villain in The Patriot. So when the time came to cast the character, I asked our casting director, Maryanne Dacey, if she could find someone like Jason Isaacs. A few days later, she got the real deal instead.”
When the creators were looking to cast the character of Zhao in the show, they wanted someone who could bring a certain chilling intensity to the role. However, fate (and a talented casting director) had something even better in store.
Avatar: The Last AirbenderReturns with New Film
For fans disappointed by the live-action adaptation ofAvatar: The Last Airbenderon Netflix, there’s something to look forward to: Nickelodeon is providing a proper continuation of the original series in the form of a new animated film.
It’s hitting theaters on June 14, 2025, and guess what? Our favorite characters—Aang, Katara, Sokka, Zuko, and Toph—are back! But this time, they’re all grown up, in their late 20s and early 30s. This exciting project is the first release from Avatar Studios, a whole division dedicated to expanding theAvataruniverse.
The officialAvatar: The Last AirbenderInstagrampage confirmed it, saying,“The journey of the Avatar continues.”They’ve been planning this since 2021 when they introduced Avatar Studios, aiming to take the franchise to new heights. And the cherry on top? The film is reportedly being directed by Lauren Montgomery, known for her work onVoltron: Legendary Defender.
“I’m only sorry it took us so long”: Avatar: The Last Airbender Creator is More Proud With His Korra Sequel for 1 Groundbreaking Decision That No One Dared Before
WatchAvatar: The Last Airbenderon Netflix!
Shreya Jha
Articles Published :1042
Meet Shreya, FandomWire’s go-to Pop-Culture Writer. She holds a master’s degree in Journalism and a pop culture obsession that rivals even the most die-hard ‘Star Wars’ and Marvel fans.Her articles have been published in Animated Times, Creator Mail, and The Luxxe Mag. When Shreya’s not busy dishing out hot takes, she is lost in the world of rom-coms.
