The Aang actor in Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender has watched the original Nickelodeon series 26 times

Gordon Cormier as Aang in Avatar: The Last Airbender
(Image credit: Netflix)

Think you’re an Avatar mega-fan? Think again. Gordon Cormier, the actor who brings Aang to life in the Netflix live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender, has you beat.

During a recent interview, GamesRadar+ asked the cast who counts themselves as the original show’s biggest fan – and opinion was split.

"I think it’s Kiawentiio," Sokka actor Ian Ousley says, referring to the actor portraying Katara. "[She] grew up on it. She has the knowledge."

Dallas Liu, who plays Prince Zuko, counters, "I think the 26 times watching Avatar gives it to Gordon."

Yes, you read that right: the Aang actor has done his homework, watching the original Nickelodeon series 26 times in preparation for his role. 

Cormier isn’t the only one who has a history, recent or otherwise, with the cartoon – which ran for three seasons from 2005 to 2008. 

Lizzy Yu, who plays Azula, revealed that she watched reruns growing up and later did more research before her audition.

"I was a little bit on the younger side when it was coming out on Nickelodeon, but I definitely watched a lot of reruns and saw this new art style that I'd never seen before growing up, and felt very connected to it," Yu explains.

"So, when I found out what we were auditioning for, I binge watched the show multiple times to be like, ‘OK, now that I know [about the audition], I’m going to try and know as much as I can [about Avatar].’ Which was also special because, now that I’m an adult, I think the original show is really great because you’re able to take lessons from it at any point in your life."

Avatar: The Last Airbender is streaming on Netflix from February 22. For more, check out the best anime on Netflix.

Bradley Russell

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.

Read more
Aang, Sokka and Katara standing on a stone wall during the series Avatar: The Last Airbender
A new Avatar: The Last Airbender series set after the Legend of Korra is headed to Nickelodeon
The Legend of Korra
Netflix is removing fan-favorite show The Legend of Korra only weeks after a new Avatar: The Last Airbender animated series is announced
Cobra Kai
The Cobra Kai cast was never worried about skepticism from diehard Karate Kid fans: “The franchise as a whole has been completely behind us”
Invincible season 3
Star Steven Yeun is now playing 18 more characters in Invincible, because clearly one wasn't enough
Gabriel Basso as Peter Sutherland in The Night Agent
The Night Agent star admits that he isn't too concerned about it being one of Netflix's most watched shows of all time: "If the whole world hated it but all the crew was proud of it, I'd be fine"
Zoe Saldaña in Avatar
Zoe Saldaña reveals she made a 26-year commitment to James Cameron's Avatar movies: "It's a gift"
Latest in Action Shows
Tony Dalton as Jack Duquesne
Daredevil: Born Again fans are loving the MCU cameos in this week's episodes – especially the Hawkeye reunion
Daredevil: Born Again episode 6
Daredevil: Born Again's long-awaited moment has been called "pure cinema" featuring one of the "best lines in comic book movie history"
Daredevil looking mean and moody.
Daredevil: Born Again episode 5 just nodded to Thanos and the Avengers movies in the most obscure way
Daredevil: Born Again
Daredevil: Born Again has pulled another scene straight from the comics – and it's one of the darkest moments yet
Muse
Daredevil: Born Again midseason trailer teases Matt Murdock’s violent fight with Muse, including a gory scene straight from the comics
Iman Vellani in The Marvels
Daredevil: Born Again episode 5 gives an important Ms. Marvel update – and it might have confirmed a major team-up in the next Avengers movie
Latest in News
Lies of P art showing P walking in a snowy forest
Lies of P director loves FromSoftware and respects the Soulslike tag, but says "I'm really serious, I'm not lying, I'm very truthful, our focus is to create our own style of game"
Tony Dalton as Jack Duquesne
Daredevil: Born Again fans are loving the MCU cameos in this week's episodes – especially the Hawkeye reunion
Naoe and Yasuke walk in the sunset in a screenshot from Assassin's Creed Shadows
Following Assassin's Creed Shadows controversy, Baldur's Gate 3 publishing director says "every big AAA game could be better," but players shouldn't be mad "just because some dude told you to"
Chris Hemsworth's name on the back of a director's chair
Marvel's Avengers: Doomsday cast reveal live blog
Screenshots from the Alien Evolved Edition TRPG teaser trailer
Alien Evolved Edition TRPG just burst through the million dollar crowdfunding mark with the vigor of a face-hugger on steroids
Halloween director John Carpenter
15 years on from his last horror movie, Halloween's John Carpenter says he'd "love to direct again" – but he has one condition