Fans have waited to see how M. Night Shyamalan, known for his suspense films, would handle his adaptation of The Last Airbender, based on Nickelodeon cartoon Avatar: The Last Airbender. Well, some of their fears can now manifest in debates about the casting, since Shyamalan and Paramount have told Entertainment Weekly about the youngsters who have been cast in the film.

The group is mainly made up of relative unknowns, although expect them to receive the same kind of attention that Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Glint and Emma Watson did when they were announced as the leads of the Harry Potter franchise. Taking the role of Aang, the titular Airbender, is karate star Noah Ringer, who was discovered in an open casting call in Texas. Rounding out the trio are Twilight's Jackson Rathbone as Aang's friend Sokka, with Nicole Peltz (Deck the Halls) will take the role of Katara, Sokka's sister and a Water Bender.

It was also announced that Jesse McCartney is in negotiations for the role of Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation, the chief opponent of Aang.

The Last Airbender tells the story of the successor to a long line of Avatars who must put aside his irresponsible ways and stop the Fire Nation from enslaving the Water, Earth and Air nations. Based on the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender, the film is targeted to hit theatres on July 2, 2010.