Filipino-Canadian young actor Gordon Cormier is taking the world by storm as the titular hero in Netflix’s highly anticipated live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender.
The 15-year-old rising star brings his youthful charm and acting prowess to the role of Aang, the last Airbender tasked with restoring peace to a war-torn world.
Gordon, born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, has already made his mark on the screen with roles in The Stand and Lost in Space. But it’s his portrayal of Aang that has garnered international attention, particularly in the country, where his Filipino heritage resonates deeply.
During a recent press visit, Gordon expressed his excitement about returning to his roots and connecting with his Filipino fans.
“It has been amazing. I’m back in my homeland, so nice to be back home. It’s incredible. I haven’t been here in a while because of COVID-19, so it’s nice to be back and see my family. You guys are awesome!” said Gordon.
Talking about his character, he recalled bursting into tears when he learned he would get to portray the role of the Last Airbender.
Beyond his connection, Gordon shared his struggles in channeling Aang, noting that he watched the anime series over 30 times.
“The happy side of Aang was quite easy for me, but I feel like it was a little bit more difficult for me to tap into Aang’s emotional side, such as when he gets sad because of sad stuff,” Gordon explained.
“Aang is a kind and compassionate soul. He believes in doing the right thing, even when it’s difficult. I think that’s a message that everyone can relate to,” he added.
In a separate online interview, the Avatar star also admitted that the whole cast felt the pressure of playing each iconic character of the beloved Nickelodeon series.
“I know that we put pressure on ourselves because we’re such big fans. We’re feeling exactly what the fans are feeling. And yeah, it’s pretty cool,” stated Gordon.
The show’s producer, Albert Kim, expressed his optimism that Avatar fans will love the live-action adaptation.
“I hope longtime fans are both satisfied with everything we’ve brought from the original but also surprised by some of the changes we’ve made to the story,” Albert said.
“I’m hoping new viewers find themselves engaged and immersed the way I was when I first discovered this story. I want them to be drawn into this world and realize they can engage with it without being die-hard fans from the start,” he added.