Actor Ian Ousley labels his character Sokka’s sarcastic nature as a coping mechanism for his trauma.

Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender, developed by Albert Kim, is a live-action adaptation of the animated television series of the same name, created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. The live-action adaptation stars Gordon Cormier, Ian Ousley, Kiawentiio, and more.

Set in a fictional world where human civilization is divided into four nations based on the elements: water, fire, earth, and air. The story follows the adventurous journey of 12-year-old Aang, the next Avatar who can master all four elements. Katara and Sokka accompany him on his quest to save the world from the onslaught of the Fire Lord while avoiding being captured by Crown Prince Zuko. Ian Ousley once again discussed his character compared to the character from the original animated series.
Ian Oulsey and Kiawentiio as Sokka and Katara

Ian Ousley Insists on Finding Ways to Bring out a More Serious Side to Sokka without Losing his Signature Sarcasm

Actor Ian Ousley plays Sokka in the live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender, who takes upon himself to be the leader of the Water Tribe following the death of his father. He said during an interview with Teen Vogue,

“Sokka is a perfect example of somebody who is not healed, is pushing stuff down and won’t let it come out, and is putting on different masks to the point where he doesn’t even know who he is when we first find him.”

Avatar: The Last Airbender is a live-action adaptation of the animated series of the same name
The young actor adds that he is going to find ways to bring a more serious side to him without losing his signature sarcasm. He explained that, according to him, Sokka’s dry humor or his acting silly often is a cover-up for the trauma, but there are some moments in which he genuinely comes to understand who he is. Earlier, the actor, in an interview with EW, mentioned that he wanted to make sure that Sokka is funny but added,

“There’s more weight with realism in every way.”

Kiawentiio, who plays Katara, chimed in to explain that the live-action adaptation took out the element of how sexist Sokka was, adding that there were a lot of moments in the original show that were iffy.

Avatar Fans Disagree with Sokka’s Personality Being Downplayed

Fans of the animated series have pointed out how Sokka’s personality has been downplayed by labeling his humor and sarcastic nature as coping mechanisms for his trauma, which was followed by his father’s death.

Reports have suggested that the character had a habit of using sarcasm and was regarded as the main comic relief of Team Avatar. CBR noted that most of the time the character would take up on him and his warrior duties seriously but is also not someone who would not like to chill if there is no mission to accomplish.
Ian Ousley as Sokka, Gordon Cormier as Aang, Kiawentiio as Katara
Sokka naturally had a lighthearted personality, and it is one of his most defining traits as a character, which, according to fans, has been downplayed in the live-action adaptation and has been regarded as a coping mechanism for his trauma. He can be insightful and is highly skeptical of bending and any other supernatural stuff.

A user pointed out that Sokka is supposed to be a flawed character who grows throughout the series and with downplaying his entire personality, the makers have just taken away one of the best storylines from the show.

In his interview with Games Radar+, the actor acknowledged that he is still the Sokka everyone knows and loves from the cartoon, adding that he does not think fans would notice some of the things that he changed from the original. While speaking to Complex, the actor explained that it was necessary to bring some sort of difference between his Sokka and the original Sokka so that the viewers could have some new content.

The first season of Avatar: The Last Airbender is streaming on Netflix.