The creative duo behind Avatar: The Last Airbender, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, confirmed at San Diego Comic-Con 2025 that Steven Yeun is playing none other than Zuko in the upcoming animated film The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender. This ends months of speculation about which character Yeun would portray, ever since Paramount first announced his involvement back in March.
For longtime fans, the reveal may come as a surprise. Yeun had previously voiced Avatar Wan in The Legend of Korra, leading many to assume he’d reprise that role in some capacity. But DiMartino and Konietzko clearly have different plans. “Steven Yeun was Avatar Wan,” Konietzko said. “We loved working with him and we’re excited to have him back in the universe.” While they didn’t confirm whether he’d return as Wan too, the focus was clearly on Yeun’s new role as the exiled Fire Nation prince.
Zuko’s casting is crucial. He’s not just a fan favorite character. He’s one of the most complex, layered, and emotionally resonant figures in the Avatar franchise. Choosing Yeun, an actor known for emotional depth in roles like Glenn from The Walking Dead and Mark’s father in Invincible, feels like a deliberate move to preserve that nuance.
Yeun joins a growing cast that includes Eric Nam as Aang, Jessica Matten as Katara, Román Zaragoza as Sokka, Dionne Quan as Toph, and Dave Bautista as an undisclosed villain. The film is set years after the events of the original series, exploring new territory while bringing back familiar characters.
This movie is the first of three animated films planned for the Avatar universe, and it’s being positioned as a major expansion of the franchise. Also revealed at Comic-Con was a first look at Avatar: Seven Havens, a brand new animated series following the Avatar after Korra.
Zuko’s return voiced by a new talent like Yeun isn’t just casting news. It signals that the creative team is serious about treating this continuation with care, bringing in actors who understand the emotional layers of the world they are stepping into. With Yeun as Zuko, the Fire Nation’s stormy prince might burn brighter than ever.
Sources:
IGN (Kim Horcher’s SDCC 2025 Interview)
gfpods.com 
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