It is no secret that I’m obsessed with the surprisingly amazing Nickelodeon cartoon series “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” I resisted watching the series for a very long time, but when I did, I was instantly hooked. The scope of the series is so big, and I think should transition to a film trilogy extremely well. Once M. Night Shyamalan was attached as director, I knew this film would end up being one of my most anticipated films of the year.
To help build even more momentum behind this already surefire hit film Shyamalan talked to the Los Angeles Times Hero Complex blog about what interested him in the film.
Apparently his interest in the series came directly from his daughter, here’s what he had to say.
“She made us watch as a family and all four of us were hooked, “ Shyamalan said. “I was like, ‘This would make a killer movie. And my wife who really has been kind of in neutral about my career was insane about it. Insane about it: ‘You have to do it. This is it. This is the one.’ “
This makes a lot of sense to me, as I had no interest in the show until I actually just happened to see an episode. It can appeal to children and adults, which makes me think that the film version will do that even more so.
Shyamalan also discusses his favorite things about the series.
“Aang himself needs to find balance to be the Avatar and to master each of these elements,” the director said. “We get to see the process of someone mastering themselves through the three seasons to get to peace.”
He then went on to compare the film to STAR WARS and THE MATRIX. It seems like a bold claim, but I have actually compared the cartoon series to STAR WARS multiple times.
“In the first ‘Matrix,’ you realize that what you’re seeing is all false,” Shyamalan said. “Those are really ancient ideas. Basic old, old religion. This has that as well. So if you go on the journey and you’ll feel that epiphany on top of a great roller-coaster ride. It’s going to be something.“
Now that you’ve heard some of his thoughts on the film, I’m curious to see what you guys think about it? Are you excited?
Source: Los Angeles Times, via /Film
John Mulhern Writes 