Latest news with #Avatar:TheLastAirbender
GMA Network
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Dolly de Leon talks about being in 'Nine Perfect Strangers,' 'Avatar: The Last Airbender'
There is no stopping Dolly de Leon's star rising in Hollywood as the Golden Globe nominee for Ruben Östlund's "Triangle of Sadness" bagged not one, but two, TV series – "Nine Perfect Strangers" and "Avatar: The Last Airbender." In the Netflix series, "Avatar: The Last Airbender," which is executive produced by Ryan Halprin among others, the talented De Leon told us, "I play the Fire Nation twins Lo and Li who are behind Azula in her quest for the throne. We've already shot Season 2 last March and I was so excited to be part of such an iconic show playing twins no less which I've never done so I am so excited about that too." Another Fil-Am actor, Jon Jon Briones also joins De Leon in Season 3 as he portrays Piandao. In Hulu's Season 2 of "Nine Perfect Strangers," meanwhile, De Leon joins no less than Nicole Kidman who portrays the enigmatic healing guru Masha Dmitrichenko, Christine Baranski (Victoria), Annie Murphy (Imogen), Mark Strong (David), Henry Golding (Peter), Murray Bartlett (Brian), King Princess (Tina), Maisie Richardson-Sellers (Wolfie), Lucas Englander (Martin) and Lena Olin (Helena). De Leon portrays Agnes, an ex-nun-nurse in the wellness retreat in the Austrian Alps where Masha has her controversial treatment methods. In an exclusive virtual interview, De Leon talked to us about her experience and her journey in the unconventional world of Masha. Photo courtesy of Hulu I actually got the good news from my team. The good news was that I was being invited to play Agnes. So, first of all, I was already very flattered by that. It's Fifth Season, the company of Nicole Kidman, and Hulu. So, it was a big deal for me. Then when I read the script, that's when it really became more intense for me because I really fell in love with Agnes, the character that I played here, and my reaction was disbelief. I couldn't believe it, until now. I still can't believe that I'm actually in the show. It's very strange. Who would have thought that I, who always played lawyers and doctors here in the Philippines, would end up playing one of the nine perfect strangers in a series called "Nine Perfect Strangers" starring Nicole Kidman. I really couldn't believe it. It was surreal. Very surreal. You mentioned Nicole Kidman. Talk about working with her now as your co-star and executive producer. She was really so much fun to work with. I went in there a little bit nervous because I didn't know what to expect from her, but she's very nice. She's super sweet. Very warm. She's adorable. We had a lot of fun on set because we did some scenes together. She made me feel very comfortable. She did not make me feel intimidated at all. She made me just enjoy working with her, doing the scene together, and having fun with it. What was your most memorable scene with her? My most memorable scene with her. It might be a spoiler, but it's a scene where she psychoanalyzes me. She psychoanalyzes my character and tries to get down to why Agnes behaves a certain way. I'll never forget that, because that's the one scene that we have together, just the two of us. For me, that was really something special that I could not believe would ever happen to me, to be working with someone like her in that capacity. You mentioned your character, Agnes? She's a former nurse and nun. Can you tell us more about your character? And why do you think she joined this controversial wellness retreat with Nicole, aka Masha? I think that Agnes was going through a crisis of faith, so she was starting to question her beliefs, and she was lost. Completely lost. So, she left the convent, got an invitation to join the wellness retreat. Agnes is very open to finding all means of a solution to her problem of finding herself again and finding out more about her faith. So, she thought that she could find her answers there from Masha, who was played by Nicole. And that's why she went there. She went there with a very open mind, willing to do anything to get down to the root of her problem. You have a lot of memorable scenes in the series. Can you just talk a little bit about them, like that scene where you screamed, was that a gut reaction, or from the director, or from the script? That was from the script. It was really there. Early on, it was already in the script, and I had to do that nine times. Can you believe it? I had to do it nine times. And by the eighth time, I was already beginning to lose my voice. I was so tempted to tell (director) Jonathan (Levine), I can't do it anymore. If you're going to make me, do it one more time, I can't do it anymore. I'm going to lose my voice, but I didn't. I fought the urge to tell him that I couldn't do it again, because I'm not going to disappoint myself because I would be most disappointed if I couldn't do it again. So, I plowed through it and thank goodness by the ninth time, okay, that was the last time when I really could not do it anymore. When he said, okay, it's good. We'll work with that. And how about the preference of Agnes to sleep on the floor? How are you in real life? Do you also try sleeping on the floor? Oh my gosh, no, I cannot sleep on the floor. I already have back pains sleeping on the bed alone. I already wake up uncomfortable, even if I have a soft bed. Still not enough to make me feel good. So, no sleeping on the floor. No, no, no. Cannot do that. Will not do that. I am not as strong as Agnes. Agnes is one strong woman. I am nothing like her. She's incredible. Photo courtesy of Hulu That scene. Oh, my gosh, I was really worried about that scene. Because it's a very, very emotional scene. I was really so anxious about that day, about going into the set and doing that scene because it required a lot, not just a lot of emotions from me, but it also required a lot of technical choreography, because we had to make sure that we were doing it right. So, it was a bit of a challenge to do that scene, but the whole crew were so supportive, Jonathan was so supportive. Our director of photography Frank (Lamm) was also so supportive and so helpful. They just made everything so easy for me. When you're working with a team that is very helpful, very caring, they care only about your safety, they only care about your comfort, it really makes our job as actors so easy. That's one of the things that I value about the show, how much they were looking out for us and making sure that we had all the support that we could get to make our jobs easier. How about dancing with the group when you have some hallucinogenic drinks? How freeing and liberating was that scene? Oh, it was so liberating. I had so much fun doing that scene. That was my favorite scene. It was really so much fun to just dance, let go and just have fun with it. We were dancing like no one's watching. I did some dancing in "Ghostlight," but that wasn't the same here. It was really just wild out-of-this-world dancing. It was so liberating and freeing. That's why I love being an actor, because you can just go, let go and just because you're not really yourself, you're playing a character. So, no one can ever blame me. They can always blame Agnes, the character I'm playing. Were you able to get a chance to go around town, do some sightseeing or shopping? Oh my gosh, yes, we were able to do that. I stayed in Munich for six months, and in some months during that period, we also went to Austria, to Salzburg. I love Salzburg. I love Munich, where we stayed for a long time. I really love those places. So yeah, I was able to go around, look at these places. It became my home for some time, so Munich was really a special place for me. I consider it a second home. People are nice. It's so safe to go out at night. You can walk alone in the middle of the night, and you're completely safe. Nothing bad's going to happen to you. And it's not so congested there. It's not overpopulated. I really loved it so much. And Salzburg was also a very special place I loved. I love the way there is nature in the middle of a city. That's what I loved about it the most. But how was it filmed in the snow and getting cold for a person from a very warm country? In the beginning, I was really scared about that. I was worried about that. But that's what I love about Hulu, about how they took care of us when we got there, before we even started shooting, they already made us put on our costumes, go outside and see if we could stand the weather. So right then and there, they already asked, are you feeling okay? Do you need more? Because they even had an electric jacket for heat, and we tested it. I went outside and tested it, and by the time we were filming already, we were shooting. I was completely protected from the elements. So, I was scared in the beginning. But because they really took care of us there. They made sure that we were safe. We felt safe. And I didn't get sick, not once. So, they even gave us flu shots, vitamin drips and all that. So yeah, it was fine. By the time we were shooting the scene, it was okay. I was completely fine. I wasn't freezing or anything. What was your reaction when you went into the set, this humongous wellness center? Oh, wow. Yeah, that was amazing. To see this whole set, it was huge. It was a huge set, and it was so detailed. Just the details were incredible, and it really felt like we were in Austria. It really felt real. For me, that's a very important aspect of being an actor is to make the set completely believable. And they really did that. They did their job so well. Photo courtesy of Hulu Lena Olin is such an elegant woman. Same with Christine Baranski, both very elegant women, but they can also be very funny and quirky. I love them so much. They're just incredible. And very sweet, very nice and very kind. Henry, of course, is a good friend. Same with Annie. I really connected with Maisie Richardson-Sellers. We became super-duper close, and until now, we're still in touch. We still contact each other. I just idolize Mark Strong. I've always loved Mark's work ever since. So, when I knew that he was cast, I was so excited to meet him. And when I met him, I was like, oh, he's just a regular guy, you know? So, it's so refreshing to meet people like him who are so talented, yet so grounded and so down-to-earth. What was the most challenging scene? The most challenging scene for me was the confessional because it's always challenging to be working alone in a scene. I always build from my scene partner. I take a lot from them. But when I'm all alone in a scene, I have no one but myself to rely on. So that was really challenging for me. Have you ever gone to a therapy session like this? Never. But I would like to. I've heard a lot of stories. I've met a few people who have done something like that, and I heard it's really effective. They have that, I think, in California and in some parts of the US. I would love to do that. But I've never done it. I've never tried it. If you were given a chance to be stranded on an island or in the Alps with nine strangers, who would you want to be stranded with? Oh my gosh. Oh, I would love to be with my kids. I would love to have my kids there. I definitely want to have Bear Grylls there because he's good with the outdoors, and I'm sure that he's going to make sure that we survive. Maybe I also want to be with someone who can make me laugh, like maybe Robin Williams. God bless his soul. And Ninoy Aquino. Maybe I'd love to be with Ninoy Aquino. I'm sorry. They're all dead people, but I would love to, because he seems like a really great conversationalist. I think that spending time with Ninoy Aquino on an island we would never run out of things to talk about. And I would have learned so much from him. —MGP, GMA Integrated News
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Why final battle in Anime Is almost never about the fight
Credits: SlashFilm In many beloved anime, the ending is far more about heart and story than about who throws the hardest punch. In fact, anime endings often serve as 'the crescendo of emotion, the culmination of journeys, and the punctuation mark on storytelling'. Creators frequently design final battles as a collision of feelings and beliefs. Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto , deliberately made Naruto's last duel with Sasuke 'about emotion, not flashy ninja powers'. He rejected bigger explosions in favor of a raw fistfight where two friends finally settle their complicated feelings. The final result is an emotional climax, rather than any other eye-catching fight scene. Beyond the physical fight: Emotions and ideals Final confrontations often reflect characters' innermost struggles and values. For example, in Avatar: The Last Airbender the ultimate fight between Aang and Fire Lord Ozai isn't just about bending elements—it's a moral test. Aang must 'confront his own inner demons and find a path to victory that doesn't compromise his values'. He faces a choice: avenge or forgive? The tension comes from his beliefs, not just his bending skills. Similarly, My Hero Academia treats its final war as 'not just a battle — it's the emotional conclusion of everything My Hero Academia has built'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Deku's final attack in that climax is described as 'as much an emotional release' as it is destructive force. It's the weight of all Deku's growth and sacrifices that makes the scene powerful. Even when heroes face villains toe-to-toe, the stakes are often symbolic. In Cowboy Bebop , Spike Spiegel's last duel with his nemesis Vicious isn't scored by punches landed but by the confrontation with his own past. One analysis notes Spike's 'final confrontation with his past brings closure to his enigmatic character'. The fight isn't just physical; it's Spike finally coming to terms with old losses and regrets. In Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood , the Elric brothers' final battle ties up years of sacrifice and truth. They confront horrible secrets and learn that 'the bonds of brotherhood can overcome even the greatest of trials'. The winning moment is as much about understanding and unity as it is about defeating the villain. Iconic Showdowns that Tell a Story Credits: Sportskeeda Across anime history, many finales are remembered for their heart. In Naruto Shippuden , after years of fighting and friendship, Naruto and Sasuke end with both losing an arm – a symbolic choice by Kishimoto to highlight emotion over spectacle. The visual shock of the injury underlines the personal cost of their reconciliation. In Attack on Titan 's final season, the epic battle against the Rumbling gives way to a private moment between Armin and Eren. Their last conversation – two old friends finally explaining themselves – is deeply moving. It's even noted that this 'was the last conversation that both friends were going to have,' providing a painful but necessary closure. This scene isn't about any giant Titan blows; it's about understanding and forgiveness. Even in worlds of superpowers and magic, the true victory often lies in what is resolved. These finales 'transcend mere storytelling, offering profound insights into love, loss, and the human condition'. Whether it's a hero choosing peace over vengeance, friends reconciling, or the defeat of hatred itself, the final encounter amplifies the series' themes. Fans may remember the visual flashes of a battle, but they keep long in their hearts the tears, smiles, and revelations that come at the end. Ultimately, anime's last fights resonate because they conclude characters' journeys – not just by settling scores, but by settling souls. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Tatler Asia
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
Dolly de Leon and Jon Jon Briones join the cast of ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender'
With a fiery passion, Dolly de Leon and Jon Jon Briones play two Fire Nation characters in the coming seasons of 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' The much-awaited second season of Avatar: The Last Airbender is coming soon, with two Filipinos joining the cast as part of the Fire Nation. Since its premiere in early 2024, the show has become an instant hit among longtime fans and new watchers for its stunning visuals and seamless choreography—being deemed a respectful homage to the original animated series on Nickelodeon. With the first season covering Book One: Water, we can expect the live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender to follow suit with Book Two: Earth, which continues Aang's journey to mastering all four elements before confronting the Fire Nation in the final season. More from Tatler: Of healing and personal transformation: 'Nine Perfect Strangers' cast share their surreal filming experience Above Dolly De Leon is set to play two roles in 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' (Photo: courtesy of Creazion Studios)
Tatler Asia
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
Stunning Singapore locations that star in BTS Jin's new music video, ‘Don't Say You Love Me'
Marina Bay Above BTS member Jin at an apartment in Marina Bay, Singapore for the music video of 'Don't Say You Love Me' The scene then shifts to the pair's apartment in Marina Bay, Singapore's premier waterfront district. This area is known for housing tourist hotspots like Marina Bay Sands, the Merlion and Gardens By The Bay—but it forms a melancholy backdrop for Jin's relationship to fall apart. The space, though cluttered with mementos of their shared life together, becomes proof of their estrangement from one another. National Gallery Singapore Photo 1 of 3 BTS member Jin at the National Gallery Singapore for the music video of 'Don't Say You Love Me' Photo 2 of 3 BTS member Jin at the National Gallery Singapore for the music video of 'Don't Say You Love Me' Photo 3 of 3 Jin and Shin Se Kyung at the National Gallery Singapore for the music video of 'Don't Say You Love Me' Jin explores the National Gallery, hoping for the spark between him and Shin Se Kyung to return. The expansive collection of Singaporean and Southeast Asian modern art look on as the pair explore the space, leaving viewers wondering if the pair will reconnect amid such grand surroundings. In case you missed it: Escape the heat: 9 cool-climate places in Southeast Asia Gardens By The Bay Above BTS Jin at Gardens By The Bay Singapore for the music video of 'Don't Say You Love Me' The theme of hopefulness continues as Jin explores Gardens By The Bay, a Singapore landmark where natural light pours out over lush greenery. This urban park in Singapore is the perfect place to bring a date—the Supertree Grove has a dazzling light show, while the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest are not to be missed. Still, the space is not enough to keep Jin and Shin Se Kyung together. Anderson Bridge Above BTS Jin at Anderson Bridge Singapore for the music video of 'Don't Say You Love Me' Jin runs across the Anderson Bridge to escape the heaviness of his emotions, unable to find a better way out of the situation. Though the bridge is only 70 metres long, its neoclassical design makes it a memorable backdrop for Jin to explore the feelings of his relationship falling apart. Singapore Flyer Above Jin and Shin Se Kyung at the Singapore Flyer for the music video of 'Don't Say You Love Me' One of the last Singapore landmarks in Jin's music video is the Singapore Flyer, a 165-metre tall observation wheel that offers panoramic views of Singapore's breathtaking skyline. The pair sit with their backs facing each other, finally accepting their fate and looking to whatever lies ahead for them. NOW READ Luxury car brands transforming skylines: How Porsche, Bentley and Bugatti are redefining ultra-luxury living The ultimate bucket list for discerning coffee lovers: 9 best travel destinations to visit Dolly de Leon and Jon Jon Briones join the cast of 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' Credits Photography: Big Hit Music
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Casting News: Dichen Lachman Joins Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2, and More
Severance fave Dichen Lachman has joined Netflix's live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender series for Season 2 in the role of Yangchen, the streamer announced on X. Also boarding the second-season ensemble are Madison Hu (The Brothers Sun) as Fei; Dolly De Leon (Nine Perfect Strangers) as Lo and Li; Lily Gao (Letterkenny) as Ursa; and Terry Chen (Wild Cards) as Jeong Jeong. More from TVLine Casting News: New Scrabble Host, Kaia Gerber in Ryan Murphy Series and More Shark Tank Says an Emotional Goodbye to Mark Cuban - Will You Still Watch Without Him? Casting News: Ernie Hudson Joins Boston Blue, Elle Adds Van Der Beek and More Meanwhile, Season 3 will welcome Jon Jon Briones (Class of '09) as Piandao and Tantoo Cardinal (Echo) as Hama. Previously reported additions include Miya Cech (The Santa Clauses) as the fan-favorite character Toph; Chin Han (Mortal Kombat, Skyscraper) as Long Feng; Hoa Xuande (The Sympathizer, Top of the Lake: China Girl) as Professor Zei; Justin Chien (The Brothers Sun) as King Kuei; Amanda Zhou (Spinning Out, The Handmaid's Tale) as Joo Dee; Crystal Yu (Doctor Who, Good Omens) as Lady Beifong; Kelemete Misipeka (Sons of Thunder) as The Boulder; Lourdes Faberes (The Sandman) as General Sung; and Rekha Sharma (Yellowjackets, Battlestar Galactica) as Amita. In other recent casting news… * Taran Killam (High Potential, Single Parents) has been cast in NBC's cheerleading comedy pilot Stumble as Boone E. Potter, Sammy Davis Sr. Junior College's football coach and the husband of cheer coach Courteney (Jenn Lyon), our sister site Deadline reports. * Costa Ronin (For All Mankind, The Americans) will recur during The Terminal List Season 2 as billionaire and media mogul Vasili Adrenov, per Deadline. * Joe Pantoliano (The Sopranos) has joined the cast of Hallmark's Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story movie, taking over for Tony Danza, who had a last-minute scheduling conflict with production dates. Hit the comments with your thoughts on the above castings! Best of TVLine Stars Who Almost Played Other TV Roles — on Grey's Anatomy, NCIS, Lost, Gilmore Girls, Friends and Other Shows TV Stars Almost Cast in Other Roles Fall TV Preview: Who's In? Who's Out? Your Guide to Every Casting Move!
