I just submitted this for a news item, but eh. I'll put it up here too.
What do you guys think?
I'm so torn...
EDIT: Okay, so here's my opinions on it.
Katara/Peltz: HAIR LOOPIES! Her furs look handimedown-ish, which is acceptable in my opinion. She looks young, younger than 14. So I suppose when she hooks up with Aang it won't be as creepy. She's a really cute girl, don't you think? But she still looks 'normal' not like Dekota Fanning creepy.
Zuko/Patel: Love him. Seriously, we could be with McCartney right now so all you haters get in check. Yeah, I called ya'll haters. Personally I think most fans got on the Zuko-wagon after he started growing his hair out, so from a producer's opinoin Hair!Zuko is the way to go. But notice the bald spots? Put your hand up to that boy's face and what do you get...? HAND PRINT! Which I always loved, loved, loved about the animated version (his scar looking like a palm print). Scar's still a bit too faded for my tastes though.
Sokka/Rathbone: GIVE US A SMILE PRETTY BOY! I know that he has a very funny/goofy side, this Jackson Rathbone. He's jut not showing it here. I get that. Start of the series Sokka is in full blown 'MAH VILLAGE' mode which he rarely goes into afterwords. Also... is it just me or are his eyes kinda droopy? You're not a vampire in this movie, ligthen up! On a side note, you didn't shave your head, you didn't get a tan, you still don't look like the Sokka we know and love. A reinterpretation? Yes. Like Sokka... no. Yeah that comment still rubs me raw, even though I so enjoyed him in Twilight.
Aang/Ringer: I've seen you before. You didn't look to happy back then either. Where is smiling Aang? Goofy Aang? Still love the tat/costume. Seriously, I'm awaiting the Oscar nomination this movie will get. I think seeing a nice smile on that adorable pudgy face of his will bring him to a whole new light. COME ON KID! Like Rathbone it looks like he needs a good night's sleep. Is this... some weird filter that enhances bags and stuff? If so an actor's worse nightmare!
I'm still trying my hardest to report on this movie in the most positive light. My first reaction to seeing these pics was "They're all so white/serious!" I had to process it for a bit and come back at a new angle. As a fan I have to accept that because these are the actors they won't be Inuits/Native Americans/Asian, they won't look the same. I still have faith that the material is going to be treated with love and respect. So... faith. Gonna try to keep it.