Utkarsh Ambudkar and Danny Pudi Join Cast of Netflix Live-action Adaptation of ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’
- As soon as the roles were announced, a few took to Twitter to comment that the “Ghosts” actor was too young to play King Bumi, while some thought that he was perfect.
Utkarsh Ambudkar and Danny Pudi have joined the cast of the upcoming Netflix live-action adaptation of “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” Ambudkar will play Bumi, “the ancient and mercurial ruler of the Earth Kingdom city of Omashu,” and Pudi will be seen as the mechanist, “an eccentric inventor and engineer who’s doing his best to raise his son in a war-torn world,” as reported by Variety.
Previously announced cast members include Gordon Cormier as Aang, Kiawentiio as Katara, Ian Ousley as Sokka, Dallas Liu as Zuko, Elizabeth Yu as Azula, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as Iroh, and Daniel Dae Kim as Fire Lord Ozai.
“Avatar: The Last Airbender,” is a live-action adaptation of the animated Nickelodeon series of the same name, and is executive produced by showrunner Albert Kim, Rideback’s Dan Lin and Lindsey Liberatore, and Michael Goi. Directors include Goi, co-executive producer Roseanne Liang, Jabbar Raisani and Jet Wilkinson.
As soon as the casting was announced, a few took to Twitter to comment on Ambudkar’s casting. Some thought he was too young for the role, while some were of the opinion that he is perfect. He currently stars as Jay on CBS’ breakout comedy “Ghosts.”
“King Bumi is a poor casting choice,” wrote a user. “Not that Utkarsh Ambudkar is a bad actor or anything, just way too young for the role. Although I’m not sure they could use an age-appropriate actor in some of the scenes they’d need for him.”
There was speculation about the “Ghosts” actor’s transformation as King Bumi, a user wondered if it was prosthetics, “or maybe they’re just doing something different.” Regardless, the user noted Ambudkar’s “great voice,” and his acting. “I’ve loved him in everything I’ve seen him in!”
Commenting on the complaints about Ambudkar’s casting, a user wrote: “Get a lot of comments on my Netflix’s Avatar video complaining about how Utkarsh Ambudkar is too young to play Bumi. And I’m like… you think they’re gonna cast a 112-year-old, or?”
There were positive vibes about both Ambudkar and Pudi’s casting. “Utkarsh Ambudkar as King Bumi is the casting I didn’t know I wanted but I need. He’s great in Ghosts so I’m sure he’ll do good in this. And Danny Pudi in things is always a home run.”
Another user described Ambudkar as “one of the most likable people on planet earth.
”https://twitter.com/kentekuzan/status/1574832501473906703
For London-based Nigerian fashion journalist Vanessa Ohaha, the casting choice of Amdukar was a happy one.