MCO Interview with Nicola Peltz & Jackson Rathbone (the last airbender)

Films succeed when they have great dialogue, dynamic action, incredible special effects or like-able characters. While I can’t vouch for the dialogue because the film opens on July 1 and I haven’t had a chance to screen it, it’s clear from The Last Airbender’s trailers that action and effects are covered. As for like-able characters, if they are anything like the real-life actors who play them I can assure you that they will be compelling.

I had a chance to sit down with Jackson Rathbone and Nicola Peltz, who play brother and sister Sokka and Katara in The Last Airbender. Jackson is 25 and also a star in the Twilight film franchise. At 15, Nicola is getting her big break in this film, though she has acted on Broadway and done smaller film roles. Despite the fact that their film will likely be a massive hit with acclaimed director M. Night Shyamalan at the helm, it seemed to me that Jackson and Nicola have their feet on the ground and savvy heads on their shoulders.

A quick primer on why The Last Airbender will be so huge: it’s based on an animated series called “Avatar: The Last Airbender” that aired on Nickelodeon (and yes, it came out before the film with the blue people.) The series, which had a big following, follows the journey of Sokka, Katara and Aang, a young Avatar who has the ability to master all elements – earth, water, fire and air. Are you still following? Together they try to create a peaceful world…and that will entail a lot of martial art action and big fight scenes.

At any rate, you know a film is a big deal if it involves collateral items like action figures and special edition Flip video cameras.

Both Jackson and Nicola are actors you’ll start to see everywhere. Jackson will be especially visible this year. In addition to The Last Airbender, Jackson’s Jasper Hale character can be seen again this summer in Twilight: Eclipse and Girlfriend (release tba) which he not only stars in, but also produced and provided the soundtrack with his band, 100 Monkeys. (check out the band’s video at the end of the q&a – the song is not from the film)

The Last Airbender opens July 1 in both 2-D and 3-D (rated PG for fantasy, action, violence.) Carve out time during your Independence Day weekend for this big action film with a great director and a cast of inspiring young actors.

enjoy!