Actor Paul Sun-Hyung Lee is beginning to transform into Uncle Iroh, the beloved father figure that he is set to play in the upcoming live-action adaptation of “Avatar: the Last Airbender.” In a livestream on Sunday, the actor revealed a new look that captures one of Iroh’s most defining features: his unique facial hair.
The video: Lee slowly begins to take off his face mask, joking with viewers that it looks like he’s putting on a “burlesque” show.
- Once it was off, viewers were greeted with the sight of a bearded Lee with a bare top lip.
- “This is the first time in over 10 years I’ve felt air on my upper lip,” the actor says, rubbing the area where the bulk of his mustache used to belong.
- The sides of his mustache, however, remain intact and cascade into the rest of his white beard, the same way they are on Iroh.
- Briefly taking off his hat, Lee describes his head of hair as an “inverted mohawk” and his facial hair as an “inverted Chaplin.”
- Still, there’s much to be seen by fans of the series, as Lee says he was “blown away” by the full look: “I can’t wait for you all to see what Iroh looks like eventually … When the full look sort of came together, I cried.”
- “Thank you so much for the compliments. I’m glad, because my children were horrified,” he says amusedly.
More transformations: On Monday, Gordon Cormier, who is set to play Aang, also gave fans a sneak peek into his new look as the series’ main character.
- On his Instagram page, the actor shared a picture of himself and his co-star Ian Ousley wearing hats. Followers were able to notice how Cormier’s head was shaved along the sides to complete Aang’s signature bald look.
- The casting of the four main characters, Aang, Sokka, Katara and Zuko was leaked in August and went viral across social media before official sources confirmed the news later.
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Fans online were delighted to hear the news of Lee’s casting as Uncle Iroh almost two weeks ago, along with the addition of Lim Kay Siu (“Anna and the King,” “Night Watch”) as Aang’s long-time best friend Gyatso and Ken Leung (“Lost,” “X-Men: The Last Stand”) as Commander Zhao. Iroh was portrayed in the original series as wise and understanding, opposite his villainous younger brother Fire Lord Ozai, a role that was announced earlier this month would be taken on by Daniel Dae Kim.
Featured Image via Bitterasiandude Inc. (left), “Avatar: The Last Airbender” (right)
