M. Night Shyamalan directing live-action "The Last Airbender"

So in a random set of circumstances....watching "The Dead Zone," did some piddling around the internet for stuff on Anthony Michael Hall...went to the Dark Knight IMDB.com board and saw a bunch of random posts about the "Avatar" movie (the James Cameron one.) Foolishly thinking it was about the Nickelodeon cartoon, it turns out there is a "The Last Airbender" movie coming out....except it's a live-action version of the critically acclaimed cartoon...directed by none other than M. Night "Jumped the Shark" Shyamalan. The first film of this trilogy is set for release in 2010.

"Avatar: The Last Airbender" is one of those rare cartoons that have come out in the past decade that doesn't appear to be created by folks tripping out on LSD. (Google "Yo Gabba Gabba" for an example.) Though I've just hit 30, I actually spent an entire Friday night watching an "Avatar" marathon. The plots are complex, the animation rich, and it's just got a lot of heart.

For those unfamiliar with the cartoon, it focuses on a land where four tribes of people exist -- the Fire, Earth. Water and Air nations. The rebellious and power-hungry Fire nation desire to destroy the other tribes and take over the land, and it will take the powers of the Avatar, a young boy named Aang, to stop the takeover and, ultimately, reunite the the nations. These people, as you may have guessed, have control over these elements. The Avatar has ultimate powers over all four, but Aang, for reasons that are revealed during the series, abandoned his training and must learn how to use his powers.

So, why am I so incredibly disappointed about this news? Avatar just does not seem like one of those cartoons that can translate well into live action...the characters are unique and it will be really unusual to see some shots of these characters in costume. Honestly, it just seems really odd -- kinda like the idea of seeing Jake Gyllenhaal and "Prince of Persia" going to live-action. It doesn't sound like it will really stay true to the magic of the cartoon. Plus, I haven't wanted to see a Shyamalan movie since the craptastic "The Village." He just seems like the last person I would expect to direct such a film. Here's hoping he can actually take source material that isn't his own and not try to add some retarded "twist" ending. :) ('Course now every time I think about Shyamalan, I think about the Robot Chicken skit about him.)

Anyways, I thought this would be an interesting thing to blog about for casual fans of the cartoon like myself. The film is scheduled to be released next year. Here's a story about the filming:

http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=132206 (Link includes video and photos from the shoot.)

Filming under way at Reading's Pagoda for Shyamalan’s ‘The Last Airbender’
By George Hatza
Entertainment Editor

Midmorning fog snaked across the cleared grounds below the parking observatory at the Pagoda atop Mount Penn early Thursday, partially obscuring what was meant to represent the rocky remains of a village destroyed by the evil Fire nation.

The mist, clutching as if with a purpose at the iconic building’s golden gargoyles, swirled around it, conjuring an eerie sense of dread and melancholy.

So it was somewhat jarring to hear the laughter of workers and the rumble of trucks along Skyline Drive as crews prepared to shoot the first major studio picture in Berks County in 10 years, directed by no less a filmmaker than M. Night Shyamalan.

A director best known for surprise-twist endings and terrifying audiences with ghosts and aliens ("The Sixth Sense," "Unbreakable," "Signs"), Shyamalan, who began local filming of "The Last Airbender" on Thursday against this unsettled backdrop, appeared to be in his element — this despite the fact that his new picture, an epic tale set in a mythic world, has been the subject of a popular animated series on the Nickelodeon TV network known for catering primarily to children.

The movie’s screenplay — written by Shyamalan but based on the series — focuses on Aang (Noah Ringer), the title character, an Air nomad, who emerges from frozen hibernation in an iceberg to discover that his village has been annihilated.

The Fire nation is waging war on the other three: Air, Earth and Water.

Aang quickly discovers that he is the lone Avatar, possessing the power to manipulate all four elements and perhaps restore order to the world.

If it doesn’t all make sense, ask your kids. They can explain it to you. Nevertheless, according to co-producer and longtime Shyamalan friend Jose Rodriguez, this massive picture — the first of a trilogy — also is geared to adults.

"The film is very spiritual," said Rodriguez, who resides in Valley Forge. "The storytelling is more layered (than on the series). There’s a Shakespearean quality about it: a ruthless king destroying a peaceful world. I think it’s fair to say it has an almost operatic power."

That perhaps is the hook that drew Shyamalan to the material — that spirituality which has permeated most of his films.

And the opportunity to have a lot of fun rather that dealing with the kind of dark material with which he previously has worked.

Rodriguez met Shyamalan 15 years ago, when he was pursuing an acting career and Shyamalan was struggling to be a filmmaker. They met in a karate class in Chesterbrook, Chester County. So it should be no surprise that their interest in the martial arts plays a large role in the battle sequences in this film.

Although the TV series is no longer creating new episodes, reruns are still broadcast. And Rodriguez says that just before the film opens in July 2010, Nickelodeon will repeat the entire series as a lead-in to the movie.

Shyamalan was busy Thursday setting up a shot with Oscar-winning cinematographer Andrew Lesnie ("The Lord of the Rings" trilogy) and a costumed stuntman.

A large crane for specific camera shots hovered in the background, while set decorators and painters put the finishing touches on the scorched village, covered in debris, artificial vegetation and simulated human bones.

Ironically, the Pagoda itself may not be seen in its current state in the film. It will be digitally transformed to appear as a ruined ancient temple. Moreover, all modern background objects will be digitally erased.

During the shoot, the Pagoda interior will be used as a school for the children in the cast. And from the looks of it, they will get a taste of Berks County during breaks, as cookies and shoofly pie sat on the counter.

While shooting continues at the Pagoda, the base camp for the company is located in the shadow of the William Penn Memorial Fire Tower, where trucks and trailers house the hair and makeup studios and offer shelter for the actors between shots.

Earlier scenes for "The Last Airbender," shot in Illulisat, Greenland, mark the first time Shyamalan has filmed outside Pennsylvania. The company will return to Berks County in June for more work after finishing early next week at the Pagoda.