'Avatar: The Last Airbender' finally gets the cast it deserves

The four main leads in Avatar: The Last Airbender are, from left: Gordon Cormier,
Kiawentiio, Ian Ousley and Dallas Liu. 

The latest iteration of Avatar: The Last Airbender, will return to its roots and cast Asian American and Native American actors in the live-action adaptation of the popular children's series.

Controversy marred the 2010 live-action movie that recast the Asian characters with non-Asian actors. That misguided project, directed by M Night Shymalan, created a huge uproar among fans of the series and advocates for representation in Hollywood productions.

The new adaptation focused on authenticity to the characters' cultures. Avatar: The Last Airbender, commonly referred to as ATLA, takes place in a world of four kingdoms of Water, Earth, Fire and Air, which are based on Inuit, Chinese, Japanese and Tibetan cultures respectively.

Writer and producer Albert Kim, (Sleepy Hollow and Nikita), serves as showrunner and executive producer for the new series. In regards to the show’s emphasis on representation, Kim stresses, “This was a chance to showcase Asian and Indigenous characters as living, breathing people. Not just in a cartoon, but in a world that truly exists, very similar to the one we live in.”

The four main leads for Netflix live-action series are: Gordon Cormier, Kiawentiio, Ian Ousley, and Dallas Liu. Cormier will star as Aang, with Kiawentiio set to play Katara and Ousley will play Sokka. Liu's casting as Zuko puts to rest the rumors that Dante Basco, who voiced the Zuko character in the animated series, would reprise the role  in the live-action production.

Netflix has rounded out the cast of its upcoming live-action adaptation of “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” with 20 new additions including George Takei, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Arden Cho and Danny Pudi, according to Variety.

Avatar: The Last Airbender has been a boon for AANHPI and Native American actors. Among those playing characters in the series are scores of actors, including:

• Daniel Dae Kim (Lost, Hawaii Five-O) will play Fire Lord Ozai, the ruthlessly driven leader of the Fire Nation who demands that everyone live up to his impossible standards, especially his teenage son, Prince Zuko 

• Amber Midthunder (“Prey,” “Roswell”) as Princess Yue, the compassionate spiritual leader of the Northern Water Tribe; A Martinez (“Cowboy Bebop,” “Ambulance”) as Pakku, the veteran waterbending master of the Northern Water Tribe and a fierce defender of their traditions; 

• Irene Bedard (“Pocahontas,” “The Stand”) as Yagoda, an empathetic healer who serves as a role model for her tribe’s female waterbenders; 

• Joel Oulette (“Trickster,” “Ruby and the Well”) as Hahn, a strong and skilled warrior with an unwavering loyalty to his tribe; Nathaniel Arcand (“Heartland,” “FBI: Most Wanted”) as Chief Arnook, father to Princess Yue and the respected leader of their tribe; and 

• Meegwun Fairbrother (“Burden of Truth,” “Mohawk Girls”) as Avatar Kuruk, a previous Avatar with a haunted past.

Unlike the original animated series, the Netflix live-action production will make the use of real actors and have a computer generate them into lifelike drawn reproductions.

The 2010 production directed by Indian American M Night Shyamalan was roundly criticized not only for its casting miscues but also the film's poor production value.

“This was a great opportunity to create new Asian American stars,’’ fumed Guy Aoki, founding president of the Los Angeles-based Media Action Network for Asian Americans, which urged a movie boycott for the first time in the organization’s 18-year existence. “When you have ready-made material that has Asian or Asian American people in it, and they still cast white people in it, that’s the last straw.’’

"To take this incredibly loved children's series, and really distort not only the ethnicity of the individual characters but the message of acceptance and cultural diversity that the original series advocated, is a huge blow," complained Michael Le of Racebending.com, a fan site of the series and advocate for representation in film.

After attending a Paramount screening meant to assuage the movie's critics, Le described the film to the Globe as “absolutely atrocious,’’ adding: “Even ignoring the whitewashing, the film was a complete disaster.’’ He also called for a boycott of the movie.

“Airbender is not an isolated case,’’ he added. “This kind of whitewashing goes on all the time. As an Asian-American growing up, it was very hard for me to find heroes I could look up to. That experience of seeing my face removed from entertainment, it definitely has an impact on you growing up.’’

Netflix has not announced the release date for Avatar: The Last Airbender but it is expected that the premiere will be in 2023. However, perhaps to build up anticipation for the new live-action 8-episode series, the streaming network has re-released the animated series to a pique the interest of a new generation of viewers and to reignite the passion of the now-adult fans who grew watching the original program.

"We'll be expanding and growing the world, and there will be surprises for existing fans and those new to the tale. But throughout this process, our byword has been 'authenticity,' To the story. To the characters. To the cultural influences.," said writer/showrunner Lim.

"Authenticity is what keeps us going, both in front of the camera and behind it, which is why we've assembled a team unlike any seen before — a group of talented and passionate artists who are working around the clock to bring this rich and incredibly beautiful world to life."

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.

South Korean drama 'Squid Games' makes history at SAG Awards

SAG

Jung Ho-yeon, left, and Lee Jung-Jae were recognized by the Screen Actors Guild.

Netflix's Squid Games series surprised a lot of viewers with three statuettes from the Screen Actors Guild.

The series from South Korea won three awards from SAG Sunday. Lee Jung-Jae was awarded fro Outstanding Performance by Male Actor in a Drama Series, Jung Ho-yeon also won the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series and the series won a trophy for Outstanding Action Performance as a Stunt Ensemble.

The Squid Games wins made history. It was the first time actors in a non-English language series took home SAG awards. In fact, the series was the first non-English language series nominated by the guild.

“Oh my, thank you so much," said Lee as he accepted his statuette. "This is [something] truly huge that has happened to me,” said Lee during his acceptance speech.

“I did write something but I don’t think I’ll get to reading it,” added the veteran actor. “Thank you to the global audience for all of your love for Squid Game, and thank you, Squid Game team.”

When Jung Ho-yeon received her award she cried as she said, (through an interpreter) "I have sat many a times watching you on the big screen, dreaming of one day becoming an actor."

"I just want to say, thank you so much," she said in English.

Jung was up against better known talent including Australian Sarah Snook for Succession, as well as Elisabeth Moss for The Handmaid’s Tale, and Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon who were both nominated for The Morning Show.

SAG AWARDS: For complete list of winner, click here.

The drama revolves around a televised reality competition where debt-ridden contestants compete in children's games for the chance to win a mind-blowing amount of money. Loser are killed.

The series was wildly popular when it hit Netflix, where it pulled massive streaming numbers, become the streaming network's most watched show. The series recently was rewarded with a second season.

Even though it stars an all-Asian cast, the popularity of the series is proving to Hollywood decision makers that you don't need a White lead in order to attract a huge audience in the U.S. and around the world.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AAPI perspective, follow me on Twitter @DioknoEd.

Netflix releases trailer for upcoming documentary series 'Naomi Osaka'

Netflix debuts 'Finding Ohana,' Imagine "The Goonies' set in Hawaii

The cast of 'Finding Ohana' looks like Hawaii.

Imagine the classic Goonies, set in Hawaii with a Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and Asian American cast. Fun!

The movie Finding Ohana follows a Hawaiian family from Brooklyn, New York City spending the summer in Hawaii. It's a culture clash mixed in with the  good ol' adventure, thrills and fun associated with the 1985 classic film The Goonies. 

Written by Korean American Christina Strain, and directed by Jude Weng, the famly-friendly movie is available for streaming on Netflix today

Finding Ohana includes a cast loaded with Asian American and Pacific Islander actors based in Hawaii, including Hawaii-native Kelly Hu.

The entire movie was shot mostly in Hawaii and sought to emphasize the Hawaiian heritage. “The pidgin, the spam musubis, it’s real Hawaii that you see,” said Filipino American actress Lindsay Watson who plays Hana, one of the leads in the film.

Hawaiian culture consultants were also hired to guide production of the film. Viewers will be able to catch over 100 olelo Hawaii words used throughout the movie.

“Seeing it all come together as a Hawaiian and the first time I watched it, I had Hawaiians with me. I think our jaws dropped, because we’ve never seen ourselves represented on screen like that,” said Watson, a graduate of Kamehmeha Schools Maui.

It was important to Netflix that the movie be cast appropriately.  The brother and sister in the film are played by newcomers Kea Peahu and Alex Aiono, both from Hawaii.

They're joined by “The Good Place’s” Marc Evan Jackson, the aforementioned Watson and Hu, Owen Vaccaro, Ke Huy Quan, Ricky Garcia, Ryan Higa, Mapuana Makia, Brad Kalilimoku, X Mayo, and Kyndra Sanchez. 

Aziz Ansari rumored to return with 3rd season of 'Master of None'

 

Restaurants and food play key roles in Master of None featuring Aziz Ansari and Rachel Wood
in the first season of the Netflix comedy.

It has been four years since the Emmy-winning Master of None ended its second season with the third season uncertain.

Now there are strong rumors that the Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang Netflix comedy might be in the works.

Chortle, a entertainment publication in Great Britain, reported that production on the next season of Master of None began in London last Spring but the coronavirus pandemic put all work on the series on hold.

When the series debuted in 2015, it was hailed for its sensitive and realistic depiction of Asians and Asian Americans. The "Parents" episode surrounding the lead characters' relationships with their families won a writing Emmy for Ansari and Yang.

The series told the travails of a single Asian man, a struggling actor, and his ethnically diverse group of friends.

After the second season, Ansari said he needed to take a break and that it might take a while for the third season to appear. 

“I don’t know if we’re going to do a season three. I wouldn’t be surprised if I needed a long break before I could come back to it,” he told Vulture.

“I’ve got to become a different guy before I write a third season, is my personal thought, I’ve got to get married or have a kid or something. I don’t have anything else to say about being a young guy being single in New York eating food around town all the time.”

In 2018, in the midst of the Me Too movement, Ansari was accused of sexual misconduct after which he basically disappeared from the social scene in Los Angeles and New York.

He did a Netflix special last year in which he addressed the accusations and started doing standup gigs around the country.

Ansari now lives in London with his girl friend and the third season is supposedly set in that city, according to Eater-London, which speculates which restaurants the Asian American comedian will feature in the series.

Chortle also adds that Naomi Ackie, a British actress who featured in Star Wars: Episode 9 as Jannah and on Netflix’s The End of the F***ing World as Boonie will have a starring role. They don’t reveal her exact role but predicts it will be as a love interest with Lena Waithe from the previous two seasons returning.

The fly in the ointment -- is that Netflix hasn't officially confirmed the series' return.

Will Aziz Ansari's character Dev Shah's delightful parents make an appearance? Will Dev find a real acting gig? Will Dev find true love? Will Master of None have a 3rd season? Let's hope the rumors are true.

Let's hope that the rumors are true. We could use a little levity.

Over the Moon: FilAm actress revels in her role and heritage

Cathy Ang, right, provided the voice for Fei Fei in 'Over the Moon' animated musical.

With an Asian American cast of Sandra Oh, John Cho, Phillipa Soo, Ken Jeong, Ruthi Ann Miles, Conrad Ricamora and Margaret Cho, the young star of Over the Moon, Cathy Ang, in her biggest role in her budding career, steals the show.

Ang, 25, stars in Netflix's Over the Moon, an animated film featuring her as her voice a young girl named Fei Fei who builds a rocket ship to travel to space and meet the Chinese moon goddess, Chang’e.

It was a “huge privilege and honor” to be part of that star-studded lineup, Ang said.

“This cast has inspired me to pursue acting,” Ang explained. “I grew up wanting to be able to be like them, and they paved the way for a lot of young Asian American artists. They lift the young artists up so well.”

She remembers idolizing Disney's animated Mulan as a young girl growing up Southern California and having an inspirational role model who looked like her, so she appreciates the chance to pass-it-forward to another generation of Asian American children.

“This is the first time that, as a Chinese Filipino-American I’m getting to play a Chinese character," she said. "So, it’s very exciting for me to be able to share my family’s culture and some of our traditions, and I feel really proud that it’s getting represented on screen and that hopefully the rest of the world will see it and get curious and celebrate it. So it means the world.”

Fei Fei;s incredible journey to the moon and the making of Over The Moon became part of Ang's own journey of her “personal identity,” she said in a Zoom interview with Asian and Asian American media.

“I feel like I’ve learned a lot more about who I am, and even though I’m Asian American, you know, I’m still figuring out what that really means and how that will translate in the art that I make," said the NYU grad.

"But it’s been really nice because I appreciate the way that my parents, who were immigrants from the Philippines, tried to impart a lot of their culture on me as I was growing up, and I realized, more so than ever that it’s a huge gift. And so, it’s made actually the dialogue between my parents and I more exciting because we have new things to talk about,” said Ang, whose father is fron Ongin and mother is from Nueva Viscaya.

I grew up in California and so I had the privilege of going to see lion dancing and dragon dancing in Chinatown and play with Chinese yoyos and we would always eat a lot of really amazing food for every birthday, for every holiday there was something to stuff ourselves with.  There was lechon, there was pancit, there was sinigang, you know, and there were so many holidays where it was just about gathering around a table and stuffing yourselves until you couldn't help but be happy together (laughs).

Although not a full-fledged musical, Over the Moon features plenty of songs allowing the movie's singing stars to shine.

Ang took part in musicals while in college and landed a role in the Broadway hit KPOP. Growing up, she says, like many girls she grew up as a Lea Salonga fan and is slightly embarrassed to tell of her first meeting with the Broadway legend. 

"Oh my gosh. After the show I did which was KPOP musical in New York, I met her because she came to greet the cast. I grew up with Lea Salonga. My parents are from the Philippines and they love Lea Salonga. I love Mulan and Jasmine. She is one of my inspirations to pursue art. I cried the whole time when I saw her. I could not talk to her. She probably thinks I was weird. She was so sweet and I was so overwhelmed to see her."

'Over the Moon' is available for streaming on Netflix.

Jo Koy celebrates his Filipino heritage in Netflix special

NETFLIX

Andrew Lopez (left) and Joey Guila join Jo Koy in the Philippines for the Netflix special “Jo Koy: In His Elements.”

Taped in Manila, Jo Koy's newest Netflix comedy special is an ode to the Philippines and Filipinos. It is where he spent part of his childhood, learned to speak ride the jeepneys, a uniquely Filipino mode of public transportation, and to speak Tagalog.

"This was something I've been wanting to do since the beginning of my career. I've always wanted to do a special show in the Philippines where it was variety driven... Everything was Filipino. The venue was Filipino, the audience was Filipino," he told CNN.

"In between each segment, we get to showcase something about the Philippines — whether it be riding a jeepney or eating some food. Just highlighting our culture and our people just enough so people will get to see what the Philippines is all about," he said.

Premiering on the streaming network Thursday, June 12, the Philippines' Independence Day, was no accident.

Koy celebrates his heritage by telling jokes about life as a Filipino American while highlighting the culture of Manila. Koy uses this opportunity to shine a light on other Filipino-American performers by welcoming to the stage famed breakdancer Ronnie, Grammy-winning producer !llmind, singer/songwriter Inigo Pascual, and comedians Andrew Lopez, Joey Guila and Andrew Orolfo.

“One thing that was beautiful about going back to the Philippines is them understanding where their parents came from. When you live in America, we're spoiled. Sometimes it takes just going back and really seeing where your parents came from and what they gave up so you can have a better opportunity,” the comedian said.

Koy took his Filipino American guests went to tenements in Taguig, where residents live in cramped quarters. He said the living conditions opened their eyes to how much they can do for their countrymen.

“There was a point where we would yell ‘Cut!’ and we're all just like, damn we got to do more, we got to raise money, we got to help,” Koy told CNN.

When he returned to the US with his family, it reinforced his appreciation for his roots. "I always found myself, especially back then during that time (growing up in the late 1970s and early ’80s), every time I said that I was Filipino, no one knew what it was, you know? I always felt like I was an ambassador. … I felt like I’ve been doing that my whole life. I feel like I’m still doing that to this day. I’ve got a huge platform now. I got a lot of fans that aren’t Filipino and maybe at the end they all go, “Hey, let’s go visit the Philippines. It looks like a fun place.”

Koy added, “It opens up your eyes and you really appreciate everything. That's what I hope we can show with this special, show everybody that if you can help, help. If there's an opportunity to uplift, then uplift. Use your platform wisely. I've been blessed with an opportunity to talk to millions of people so I wanna be able to use that platform.”

Jo Koy: In his Element airs on Netflix beginning June 12.

TGIF Feature: 'Hollywood' with Darren Criss available for streaming on Netflix

Darren Criss will play a Filipino American in Netflix's 'Hollywood.'

Finally, it's May 1 and AAPIs will get a chance to view the much anticipated Hollywood, starring Darren Criss, who plays an aspiring Filipino American director during Tinseltown's so-called Golden Age, right after WWII.

The sprawling 7-part drama is an alternate history of that era, mixing fictional characters with real-life figures of that period. Certainly, the depiction of the movie industry fully accepting People of Color and LGBTQ in this day and age would be labeled a fantasy, much less, in 1940s Hollywood.

"It is sort of a Hollywood-ization of Hollywood itself, or the Ryan Murphy version of that fantasy," Criss, who also served as an executive producer, told Deadline. "I hope people watching it go in taking it with a grain of salt that this isn't sort of a grand expose of the time, or some sort of factual recounting.

"I think that it will become very clear from the tone that things happen [in the show] that, clearly, didn't happen, otherwise you would've heard about it. It becomes pretty clear that this is, again, Hollywood getting the Hollywood treatment."

For AAPI fans, the depiction of Raymond Ainsley (Criss) as a half-Filipino, as the lead character is historic in itself. But the series also serves as an introduction of the real-life travails of the legendary Anna May Wong, played by Michelle Krusiec, to today's audience are major reasons to watch to watch the mini-series.

Criss, who is of mixed Filipino and white heritage, describes his characer "as an outsider, which is usually ground zero for anybody feeling isolated but in Raymond's case, he has a bit of a chip on his shoulder for being of half-Asian descent, which I think is just something that Ryan has always been interested in, especially being white passing."

The line uttered by Ainsley, "I am half-Filipino" will probably bring an audible cheer and high-fives from Filipino Americans because it is so rare that a Filipino American character have such a prominent role in a US-produced project.

The only other time a Filipino American played a lead role in a Hollywood production is 2018's The Assassination of Gianni Versace in which Criss portrayed Filipno American serial killer Andrew Cunanan. Criss won a Golden Globe and an Emmy for his work in that dramatic series.

Michelle Krusiec will help tell Anna May Wong's story in Netflix's 'Hollywood.'

In the little-known story of Wong, Krusiec was able to find common ground. In an interview with Deadline, Krusiec identified with Wong's plight.

“I’m constantly being underestimated and being reduced or relegated to side parts, supporting parts or parts where the characters are in service of someone else’s narrative,” said Krusiec. “I felt during [Wong’s] entire career, she was constantly cast in these kinds of roles because it brings so much to the table in terms of what she was actually doing with those parts. She was really hard to ignore and it was really hard to dismiss her. She became brokenhearted by her career, but she still persisted.”

“As an Asian American actor, I’ve been treading that road for a long time and trying to understand my own wrestling with identity and how do I persist and how do I have resilience,” she told Deadline.

EDITOR'S NOTE: As Hollywood unfolds on Netflix, check back on Views From the Edge for more articles about the series.

TGIF Feature: 'Tigertail' saga launches today on Netflix

 Kunjue Li, left, and Hong-Chi Lee play a reluctant couple in the immigrant story 'Tigertail.'

Most Hollywood movies about immigrants coming to the United States have newcomers cming from the East, whether it be Sweden, Ireland, Italy or Africa. Tigertail is tone of the few to tell about the journey across the Pacific Ocean of immigrants coming from the West -- specifically Taiwan.

Written by Alan Yang, who is better known for his work on comedies like Parks & Recreation, The Good Place and Master of None, tells a tale loosely based on his own family. The film, which takes place over the timespan of generations, is streaming on Netflix starting today, Friday, April 10.

Yang conceived the project before the 2018 success of Crazy Rich Asians that opened the doors for more Asian-themed subjects. But like that groundbreaking movie, it has an all-Asian cast and much of the movie is spoken in Taiwanese and Mandarin.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Yang expounds on the personal nature of his movie that means so much to him:

The movie really is focused on a character [Pin-Jui] inspired by my dad who grew up in Taiwan, and grew up in pretty extreme poverty, and then worked in a factory and had to make a lot of hard choices before deciding to come to America in search for a better life. And it examines his relationship with a series of women in his life, from a girlfriend to the woman who ends up becoming his wife to his daughter, and it speaks to the regret that immigrants experience when they come to a new country. And it speaks to the difficulty all of us have at being honest and communicating and expressing our vulnerabilities, and in this specific case, his relationship with his daughter.

So it really is, in some ways, also the capsulation of my grappling with my own heritage and coming to terms with it in my personal life. Because I grew up in an area of California without a lot of other Asian people, and I never felt particularly Asian and I wanted to fit in and hang out with the other kids and do anything I could to be the same as opposed to different. But as I became a writer and director and producer and all these things, and had the opportunity to make my own shows and movies, I realized that the most powerful thing you have as a filmmaker is your point of view. And so denying that part of yourself is almost like chopping off one of your arms. It really became integral to my point of view and such a huge part of making this movie.

TGIF Friday: Netflix releases teaser for Mindy Kaling's coming-of-age series

NETFLIX

'Never Have I Ever' stars newcomer Devi Vishwakumar.

ASAM NEWS

The protagonist of Mindy Kaling’s latest project Never Have I Ever is the gods’ favorite Hindu girl in California's San Fernando Valley, and Netflix is hoping she’ll be your favorite, too.
On Thursday, the streaming service dropped its first-look teaser for the coming-of-age comedy, which follows first-generation Indian American teenager Devi Vishwakumar as she navigates “difficult situations due to her short fuse.”

The trailer shows the high school sophomore praying in front of a Hindu shrine. Devi’s requests are simple: she wants an invite to a party where she can politely decline to do “alcohol and hard drugs,” less arm hair, and a boyfriend that is a “stone-cold hottie” rather than a nerd from one of her AP classes.

Devi is played by 17-year-old actress Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, who will make her television debut with the show. According to Vulture, executive producer Kaling reviewed over 15,000 submissions in a nationwide open casting call before deciding on Ramakrishnan.

Never Have I Ever is inspired by Kaling’s own upbringing in suburban Massachusetts and is set to be released on April 27 on the streaming network. 

Here's the teaser:

Never Have I Ever is the first product from Kaling's contract with Netflix. The comedic actress, gained her Hollywood foothold for her roles in The Office and starring in The Mindy Project.

Kaling's move into producing projects featuring AAPI characters and themes is in response to Hollywood's apparent bias against products that feature diverse casts and crew. 

Under her creative impetus, she has written and produced Amazon's Late Night starring herself and Emma Thompson and a reimagining of the British romcom hit Four Weddings and a Funeral with a decidedly diverse cast for Hulu.

Views From the Edge contributed to this report.

Seriously though, don't ignore the Asian American vote In 2020, says Hasan Minhaj

NETFLIX

Hasan Minhaj and Andrew Yang interview an Asian American voter.

Making someone laugh gets them to lower their walls and sometimes, insight breaks through. Hasan Minhaj's Patriot Act on Netflix does that in his latest episode released Dec. 1, "Don't Ignore The Asian Vote in 2020."

Using disarming humor, the Sacramento-born Indian American, jabs elbows in the ribs of Asian American voters and the major political parties of the US.

"It's pander season, baby," Minhaj opens.

“Despite our growing numbers, politicians and the media ignore us,” Minhaj says.

What a dilemma: Asian American voters have voter turnout because they are mostly ignored by the Democrats and Republicans. On the other hand, the Dems and GOP don't bother with Asian American voters because they don't vote.

Using statistics from AAPI Data, Minhaj points out how Asian American communities have turned elections in Virginia and Orange County, CA.

He interviews Andrew Yang's about his beef with MSNBC and Cory Booker about reaching out to his Asian American electorate in New Jersey. 

Minhaj points out the importance of immigration policy to the diverse Asian American communities and suggests that a good slogan for a candidates is "I'll let your cousing in."

With less than a year left before Americans pick their President, it behooves Asian American voters to pay attention to the primaries and the candiadtes. For Democrats and Republicans, they ignore Asian Americans at their own peril. That's no joke.

Patriot Act is available for streaming on Netflix.

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Netflix debuts new travel/foodie show with David Chang

NETFLIX

Chrissy Teigen, center, will be a guest eater hosted by David Chang, left.

Netflix announced its second documentary series with James Beard Award-Winning Chef David Chang and Academy Award-Winner Morgan Neville with Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. The series will launch globally Oct. 27.

“There's something about traveling with someone that opens you up," says host Chang.  "Being away from all the craziness of daily life, you spend long days together in an unfamiliar place with nothing to do but wander the street, share meals, and talk. That's what BLD is all about—learning more about ourselves, our friends, and the people we encounter out in the world. Plus, of course, the ridiculously delicious meals we share.” 

Each episode of Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner will feature Chang, the head of the Momofuku empire, accompanied by a different celebrity guest exploring a single city, its culture and its cuisine. As the pair travels through each city, they will also uncover new and surprising things about themselves. 

IThe trailer gives a taste of what food enthusiasts can look forward to, including a trip to Vancouver, Canada with Rogen and a visit Marrakesh with Teigen. In addition to sharing meals together, Chang and his guests also share experiences during their travels.

In the preview, Waithe is shown bowling and McKinnon is seen enjoying a boat trip. Chang recently teased the show on IGTV stating that on the show he was able to “try more new foods than I ever have before.”

“BLD is a chance to take everything I’ve loved about working on Ugly Delicious--big conversations, great food, world travel--and put it together in one large smorgasbord. It’s been great to take a moment to get deep while breaking bread." 

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Martial art fans rejoice with premiere of 'Wu Assassins'

NETFLIX

Iko Uwais stars in the new Netflix series, 'Wu Assassins.'

Netflix's Wu Assassins may fill the martial arts void created when AMC cancelled Into the Badlands after three seasons.

Wu Assassins combines martial arts, sci-fi and fantasy in telling the story of an aspiring chef, played by Iko Uwais, and how he is affected as the sole surviving heir of the Wu Assassins bloodline. It takes place in modern-day San Francisco so be assured there are plenty of shots of Chinatown. 

Indonesian martial arts master Uwais, who introduced the Silat fighting style in his breakout film in the now-classic The Raid, can be seen this summer as the villain in the action-comedy Stuber. He is teamed up with action star Katheryn Winnick, who did her fair share of fighting and action in the series Vikings. 

Director Stephen Fung, who directed episodes and a producer of Into the Badlands, says his job is made easier because of stars. “Iko is a famous action star in Southeast Asia and Katheryn is a black belt in Taekwondo, and their action styles are very different from the kind we’re used to in Hong Kong action cinema. It gave me a fresh perspective and pushed me to think out of the box,” Fung told The Hollywood Reporter.

Taking advantage of Uwais' Indonesian style of martial arts, there will be a marked difference from Into the Badlands. Fung said instead of long single-shot scenes so the viewer can appreciate the choreographed beauty of the fight, expect the action scenes to be more intimate and closer to the action.

Wu Assassins premieres today, Aug. 8, on Netflix.

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Mindy Kaling casts newcomer in her desi teen sitcom

Mindy Kaling will be executive producer for a new sries starring newcomer Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, right.

Out of 15,000 applicants, Mindy Kaling picked newcomer Maitreyi Ramakrishnan in the lead role in her comedy series, which Netflix has committed to 10 episodes so far.

"We feel so much excitement to be bringing this story to life, and a responsibility, too," as Kaling announced the casting choice on Twitter. "Depicting what it’s like to be a young desi woman right now -- a real girl with real desires, ambitions & problems. Not just Indian American culture presented to us as side characters on a show."

The Toronto-based actress will play Devi, an overachieving high school sophomore who has a short fuse that gets her into difficult situations. The series will follow her life as a modern-day first generation Indian American teenage girl, according to Variety

The as-yet-untitled series, which received a 10-episode order in March, was co-created by Kaling and Lang Fisher, with the latter also set to serve as showrunner. Both Kaling and Fisher will executive produce along with Howard Klein and David Miner.

The series was set up under Kaling’s overall deal at Universal Television, with Universal set to produce the new series. The show will be produced by Warner Bros. Television and streamed on Netflix. Kaling and Lang Fisher, both of who will be executive producers.

Kaling described how the series came to be in an interview with Variety: “Netflix approached me about doing a series on young Mindy,” she said. “I wasn’t as interested in telling a period piece about an Indian girl growing up in the ’80s, but I told them I’d love to do a show about a 15 year old Indian girl now.”

Casting for the rest of the sitcom's characters hasn't been announced.

Kaling currently has a movie, Late Night, costarring with  in the theaters and has the 10-episode romantic comedy, Four Weddings and a Funeral , a remake of the popular movie, premiering on Hulu July 31.

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Aziz Ansari returning to Netflix

Comedian Aziz Ansari is back on Netflix but it won't be in his popular sitcom Master of None.
Ansari is returning to Netflix with a new stand-up special, four years after his previous special streamed on the platform and two years after the second season of Master of None ended.

The new special, titled Aziz Ansari: Right Now, is set to drop July 9 on the streamer and is being helmed by Her and Being John Malkovich director Spike Jonze.
It is the first time he's been back on Netflix since a sexual misconduct allegation derailedd his career path. The accusation came from an article on Babe.net which gave the account of a woman who went on a date with Ansari, but felt pressured into sexual activity despite her verbal and physical cues of discomfort.

Ansari assumed a lower profile after the article, but has been making appearances this year, including a New York comedy show in February, where he called the incident “a terrifying thing to talk about;” a Parks and Recreation reunion at PaleyFest in March and the comedy tour, with 75 U.S. and 12 international dates. 

“There were times I felt really upset and humiliated and embarrassed, and ultimately I just felt terrible this person felt this way,” he said during the February show. “But you know, after a year, how I feel about it is, I hope it was a step forward. It made me think about a lot, and I hope I’ve become a better person.”

Master of None, about a single South Asian actor trying to launch an acting career in New York, has aired two seasons to date with positive reviews and warmly received by AAPI communities. The show was never officially canceled and Netflix has expressed the desire for another season.

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PODCAST: How Ali Wong and Randall Park pulled it all together for 'Always Be My Maybe'.

Ali Wong, left and Randall Park created the Netflix movie, Always Be My Maybe.

By Louis Chan

ASAM NEWS

Netflix this week released a podcast with commentary from director Nahnatchka Khan and actor Randall Park to go along with their hit movie, Always Be My Maybe.
The two gave fans a sneak peek of what you might expect from the podcast when they made a surprise appearance, along with Ali Wong, in San Francisco after an advance screening in May.

Wong revealed during a 2016 interview with the New Yorker that she and Park had a desire to do an Asian version of When Harry Met Sally. That lead to calls for a script when, in reality, there was no script.

The two then began collaborating. Khan, was not yet even in the picture. When approached, she declined the opportunity thinking she would be too busy.

“Nanahtchka was advising us on writing the script, but when it came time to find a director, she was busy,” said Wong. “She was committed to this other movie. When that fell through, she became available. We snatched her. Thank God, it all worked out.”

This is Khan’s first feature film and a reunion of working buddies. She served as executive producer of Fresh Off the Boat for its first five season. Wong worked on her crew as a writer from seasons 1-4 and Park, of course, costars as Eddie Hung’s father, Louis.

“I got to make a movie with my friends,” said Khan. “We had such a great time . We shot in Vancouver and SF last summer. It happened so fast.”

Khan and Park quickly learned during filming how cold San Francisco’s foggy weather can be.

“It’s a tundra. Do not be fooled by its beauty,” Wong, a native San Franciscan, said to the two others.

In Always Be My Maybe,” Park plays Marcus, lifelong best buds with Wong’s character, Sasha. They had high hopes for their film and decided to dream big. That dream lead to Keanu Reeves making a guest appearance.

“We had a whole A list,” said Park of actors they wanted to bring on board. “We’ll never tell you who’s on that list, but yeah, there was no way we were going to get that person. Netflix and our producers Nathan (Kahane) and Erin (Westerman) were like let’s just try and we tried and it happened magically.”

The idea wasn’t just to bring on an A list star. The idea was to bring one on whose character would add to the movie.

“I think when he, Marcus, finally decides he has feelings for her, we thought in terms of story , it would be great to have somebody who would be Marcus’ worst nightmare,” said Wong. “We thought who would be his worst nightmare. It should be an Asian American icon who could act (as himself) and who is also funny and willing to make fun of himself. Only one person in the entire universe fits the first three of those parameters.”

They sent a script to Reeves, who to their surprise, really took the opportunity seriously.

“He read it and liked it and wanted to meet with us,” said Khan. “I was really impressed that he read the whole script. Like he didn’t just read his section. We talked about his role in the movie and how it affects Marcus character. He had a lot of funny ideas and pitches. We went back, revised the script and sent it back He was like ‘I’ll do it.'”

Reeves took the script and made it his own. Park says the whole idea of glasses without lenses came from Reeves. He also improvised much of the shadowboxing scene.

Download Khan and Park’s podcast from Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Filipino American comedian Jo Koy's Netflix special on Philippine Independence Day

NETFLIX

Stand-up comic Jo Koy was taped live in Honlulu for his upcoming special on Netflix.

Jo Koy, the Filipino American comedian, will have another special on Netflix on June 12, which coincidentally happens to be Philippine Independence Day.

Koy is returning to the streaming network for his second Netflix special, Jo Koy: Comin' In Hot! In his act, he doesn't hesitate to dive deep into the idiosyncies of growing up as a Filipino American, especially if he knows there are Filipino Americans in the audience laughing along with him.

That's the case in his special, which was taped in Honolulu's Blaisdell Arena. Watch the sell-out crowd explode with laughter when Jo Koy takes the stage. 

The Filipino American stand-up comedian made his debut on Netlix in 2017 with Jo Koy: Live from Seattle, where he muses about being raised by a Filipino mom and raising a teenage son. 

Watch the promo clip for his new special here:

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