EWP + MANAA = FTW!

Media Action Network for Asian Americans writes a letter to Paramount.

"The Asian American community, and the movie-going public at large, is used to seeing Asian men depicted as villains and rarely get the opportunity to see Asian heroes they can get behind and cheer for. This is also an historic opportunity to give Asian American actors a chance to shine in a big-budget film franchise which would bolster their careers for future projects. You will get deserved credit for launching those careers and can break down barriers by understanding that the audience that loved the television series is ready (and expects) to see Asian Americans playing those characters on the big screen.

East West Players writes a letter to Paramount too...

"Even if the filmmakers are blind to these concerns, they ought to be responsive to marketplace
realities. There are millions of fans of Nickelodeon's AVATAR and they are drawn to the series'
Asian themes. They are not likely to accept either a "whitewashing" of the story or an unrealistic
portrayal of white actors trying to look ethnic and/or leading distinctly ethnic civilizations."

Given the serious concerns that have been raised about the casting of AVATAR: THE LAST
AIRBENDER, including furious debates that are taking place on the topic in cyberspace, we
believe it would be beneficial for Paramount's executives to meet with representatives of EWP
and other Asian American organizations to discuss the matter. Please contact me by phone or
email to arrange a meeting at the earliest mutually convenient time."