‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’s’ creators were astounded as the actor who inspired Zhao later went on to voice the character himself!

The voice actor chosen for a beloved villain in Avatar: The Last Airbender was originally picked because he reminded the creators of another iconic villainous performance.

It’s pretty amazing, how the casting director for Avatar: The Last Airbender actually got Jason Isaacs to voice Zhao! This wasn’t just about getting a famous actor; it meant getting the exact person who inspired the character. Isaacs’ performance really captures Zhao’s ruthlessness, making him a serious threat to Aang and his friends.
Commander Zhao in Avatar: The Last Airbender
Zhao begins as a top officer and later becomes a strong Admiral in the Fire Nation Navy. He’s driven by a desire for glory and conquest, who’s ready to do whatever it takes to make it happen.

How Did Harry Potter Actor End up Joining Avatar: The Last Airbender Universe

Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy in Harry Potter series
Hollywood heavyweights like Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy in Harry Potter) and Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker in Star Wars) likely saw the potential in the show and wanted to be a part of something special. But how did the creators of Avatar: The Last Airbender manage to snag such talent?

The answer lies in the show’s great storytelling and reputation. When a show is well-written and popular, it attracts talented actors who want to be a part of it.

Michael Dante DiMartino, co-creator of the show, shared in a 2012 interview with IGN that he drew inspiration for the character of Zhao from Isaacs’ captivating performance in The Patriot. The 49-year-old creator said:

“We’ve been honored to work with such a great group of actors. From the main cast on down, all the actors have infused their characters with a lot of emotional depth. When I was first writing dialogue for the character of Zhao, I was inspired by Jason Isaacs’ chilling performance as the villain in The Patriot. So when the time came to cast the character, I asked our casting director, Maryanne Dacey, if she could find someone like Jason Isaacs. A few days later, she got the real deal instead.”

When the creators were looking to cast the character of Zhao in the show, they wanted someone who could bring a certain chilling intensity to the role. However, fate (and a talented casting director) had something even better in store.

Avatar: The Last Airbender Returns with New Film

For fans disappointed by the live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender on Netflix, there’s something to look forward to: Nickelodeon is providing a proper continuation of the original series in the form of a new animated film.

It’s hitting theaters on October 10, 2025, and guess what? Our favorite characters—Aang, Katara, Sokka, Zuko, and Toph—are back! But this time, they’re all grown up, in their late 20s and early 30s. This exciting project is the first release from Avatar Studios, a whole division dedicated to expanding the Avatar universe.
A still from Avatar: The Last Airbender
The official Avatar: The Last Airbender Instagram page confirmed it, saying, “The journey of the Avatar continues.” They’ve been planning this since 2021 when they introduced Avatar Studios, aiming to take the franchise to new heights. And the cherry on top? The film is reportedly being directed by Lauren Montgomery, known for her work on Voltron: Legendary Defender.