Thalia Tran on Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2, Playing Mai, Team Azula & Behind the Scenes

[00:00:08] Thalia, thank you for joining me today on Pop Culture Unplugged. It's a pleasure. Thank you so much for having me again. I know, it was about two years ago, right? It's crazy to think how much time has actually gone by. It's actually flown by. Like the fact that we filmed both seasons in that time span is crazy. How excited are you now? We're about a week away. Well, when I released this interview, it'll probably be roughly out of time, but we're gonna get our hands on season two. How excited are you?

[00:00:32] Yeah. I am so excited. I feel like it's been like a long time coming. I remember it feels like just yesterday that I was sitting with my girls in the booth of a restaurant and we're talking about like, Oh my goodness, I can't believe we're on Avatar The Last Airbender and we definitely need to tell all three seasons stories. Like we have to. And now we've wrapped on the whole show and season two is about to come out literally next week. So that is, that's insane.

[00:00:58] What's been the fan response like with your character and for you also? Yeah. It's been, it's been really insane. Like every single time somebody approaches me while I'm out in public and they talk about the show, it's just such a gratifying moment. And also it really reminds me like, yeah, I am on Avatar The Last Airbender, which is still something that I, I, I struggle to conceptualize because that's something that I grew up with something that I, that I know and love and something that all my friends know and love.

[00:01:28] And, and now that I get to be a part of that universe and I get to play this really amazing character, it really is like a childhood dream come true. And, and it hits me every time. And your name is always going to be in this universe when they think of this character. Yeah. It's crazy. And, and talking with cricket too, it's like we're cemented as part of this universe. What a gift that is. So with season two, you know, season two adapts some of the most iconic material in this Avatar universe.

[00:01:55] And like how excited were you to dive deeper into my story this season for season two? I, I was super, super excited, you know, you know, watching, watching the original show, obviously may entirely don't show up until season two or until book two. So this is really where we get to dive into our adventures and, and there was so much I was looking forward to.

[00:02:19] And we were talking about this as we were planning out like the season and, and our arcs for, for season two, we were talking about like big moments that we were looking forward to. And one of them being dressing up as a Kyoshi warriors and like, like the huge, huge milestones for our characters. And now looking back on, on all of that, it, it really was crazy. Like we really got to live through those adventures as our characters. We got to do it together. We got to really experience those journeys and, and grow with our characters.

[00:02:49] So how would you describe her, her journey for season two? Cause I know we have another season coming up too, but just for season two, how would you describe it? Well, this is our, actually for all three of us is our first venture outside of the fire nation. This is our first hands-on experience with the real world outside of, you know, this, this very controlled atmosphere of the fire nation. So we've obviously been taught growing up very specific. We've been taught a very specific worldview.

[00:03:19] And now that's kind of put to the test as we, we venture out and we get to actually see things for ourselves. And I know at least from my character's perspective, I can't speak on Azula and Tylee's behalf, but on my character's perspective, that really, it's very eyeopening. First of all, the pressures that come with the, the weight of what we're doing here, tracking down the avatar. Like this is a very hefty task and, and so much is at stake.

[00:03:46] And I think that obviously we knew the stakes were high going into this and as, as a fighter, as a warrior, like we were prepared, but when we actually face how heavy that is, how heavy that task really is and what that actually means, it can be a little scary. And, and, and we really have to like fortify ourselves mentally for that. And also like, you'll see differences between what we're taught about the world and, and what the world actually is.

[00:04:14] And that is very interesting and that'll come into play later. But, um, yeah. I love how, you know, my, she's known for her, like her dead, deadpan personality, like for you, you know, um, going on like beneath the surface. It's like, how did, how did you approach like playing some of those, like the emotions without even saying words sometimes you just have a deaf face. Yeah.

[00:04:36] I think it was very interesting because, you know, there's from the audience perspective, it's, it's like, you see this very deadpan stoic demeanor and it, you're like, what is going on beneath the surface? And as someone who's playing me, I was like, well, I get the chance to really dive into what is beneath that surface. Mm-hmm . . . . And I think how I approached it was, I really tried to stay present in the moment and grounded with the people that I was with.

[00:05:04] Azula, Ty Lee, they did such a lovely job of bringing their characters to life. And so being, just allowing myself to be affected by them and be affected by my environment and the circumstances. And then after, after really feeling what that emotional response was, then from there stacking on the layers of stoicism and, and, and protection.

[00:05:29] And it really is like a defense mechanism because when you think about it, these are very young girls in a very harsh environment and very harsh world. And it, it really is a way to deal with the harshness and brutality of this world that we're facing. And I, I really came to understand the need for that. And so it became like a, like a jacket, just like something that I could put on that could shield me a little bit.

[00:05:54] And so I, I really got to both experience the, the waves of everything while also putting on this protective layer that, that made me feel safer. And so that was, that was really, a really interesting way to get to know me, to get to know her externally as well as internally. The fans are very excited about like to see more team Azula. What's your thoughts about that? What can you tease about that? Yes. Oh, it's, it's going to be, it's going to be really fun.

[00:06:23] There's a lot of really wonderful fights. There are so many really wonderful moments between the girls. I will say, I just, I adore Lizzie and Momo in real life. We, we, we shot so much together. It really was like us. We were a trio. We show up on set together as we walk in together. And it, it really did feel like team Azula every day we were on set. And it, there will be some also new moments that weren't in the original show.

[00:06:53] And I think that will be exciting for fans to see. But I, I think ultimately, um, we wanted to make sure that we could really, you know, really feel the love and the connection and the history between the girls. As well as they're really cool fighters. Like when we fight together, it means something. We, we know each other so well. We have like such a chemistry and, and it's, it's really exciting. Did you have any new stunts or any new, like action training for season two? Yeah.

[00:07:22] So, um, well, first of all, my background is in wushu kung fu. So that was what I had kind of come into the show with. But before starting season two, I, I, I kind of wanted to just amp up my training. I ended up taking up combat sports, Muay Thai boxing, which I still do almost every day of the week. I, I just love it. I love, I love combat sports.

[00:07:43] Um, and so I, I think that training that really put me into May's mindset because it really does require a specific type of presence when you are, when you are training and, and when you're in it, it, it, it is a certain level of precision, a certain level of intensity. And I felt, I was, I was like, oh, I understand what May feels in that, in that aspect.

[00:08:06] Um, I think May is somebody with a lot of focus to be able to train knives to that level requires such an, uh, an insane amount of, of discipline of, of just drive. And so to be able to channel that through something that was also like in a, in a fighting sense, that, that was really cool.

[00:08:24] And then of course we had our show specific stunt training where we would run the choreo together, me and the stunt doubles as well as the other actors, actresses, because all the stunts that the stunt doubles do, we, we also are running the same choreo and stuff like that. So it, it was really cool to actually be able to like, May fought like this and I'm fighting like that, to actually fight like her. So cool.

[00:08:50] And then seeing people, of course the weapons and, and stuff like that, seeing the stuff that they designed, it was just, it was insane. And I think also being so closely bonded because we've been on the show for a really long time, like over, over, over the years and stuff like that. And you've gotten to know each other. So being able to fight with the people who you actually know, it actually makes such a difference because you're able to read each other and you're able to be familiar with each other's movements. And that type of familiarity bond connection does make such a difference when it comes to movement and stunts. Yeah.

[00:09:20] Any, any favorite new weapon for this season? Cause it wasn't the first season. And was it a knife? I forget. Yes, I did. Oh, we have some pretty cool. So we have different iterations of the daggers from, from the, they were designed from the animation. And it was really cool. Cause they like, they went through multiple versions of these weapons because first of all, they had to practically be able to like come from a place where I can like withdraw them. Yeah.

[00:09:48] And also there, there were, there were concerns about like, Oh, how practical is it in a fight? We have like the double edged one and the single one. And it was, it was really cool to get to, to watch these, these different iterations of the knives and evolve into something that like, okay, this feels something. This feels like something personal. This feels like something good that I can use and that I can fight with. It felt, it felt like may getting her own knives. It was me getting my own knives. And that was really, really cool.

[00:10:17] Now for, so for this season for season two, um, is there like a favorite or particular scene or favorite moment that you can wait for the viewers to see a certain episode? Yes. I think there is a moment at the end of episode one that I think that was my favorite. Well, one of, one of the highlights of my filming and it was very, very early on, but it is, it is a little bit.

[00:10:40] Of a divergence from the animation, but it was just such a lovely way to start season two. Like after coming back from like multiple years of a break and we come back together and it's me and my girls and we're about to embark on this journey. And there is a, you'll know it when you see it, but, um, there's a moment and I was like, we're back guys. Like we are back.

[00:11:06] And that was, it, it really just kicked off filming to such a, uh, a wonderful start. It had the intensity and it had the like, Oh, we understand our mission here. And so that was just really cool. And also it was just a really lovely moment to come back together again with my girls. Now, I know we have a total of three seasons. Has there been talks of possibly a fourth season or even like maybe a spinoff or anything with your characters? Oh my gosh. I, I wish, you know, I, I, we were, we were begging.

[00:11:35] We were like, please just let us continue in this universe. Cause honestly, I was like, this has been such a joy of a lifetime to work with these people, to live in this universe, to play this character. Like I would, I would continue on forever. You know, like this is just, it really is such a dream universe to be in. But as far as I know, I think this is where we're stopping.

[00:12:01] Um, book one, book two, book three, season one, season two, season three, but who knows? Maybe, hopefully, hopefully I would, I would love it personally. Yeah. If, if, if Talia could be, if Talia could have a roommate of any character on Avatar, who would it be and why? Ooh, I, you know what? I have to go with Momo because she's my girl. Like I, I feel like we, we shot together so, so much.

[00:12:29] And even just outside of shooting, you know, we, we hung out together so much. And Mamona is just such a lovely, a lovely human being. And I'm sure you guys can see that from the outside. She seems like the sweetest person and spoiler alert, she is. And, um, I, I just love her. You know, I think May and Tylee's bond is very special. And to be able to have that in real life is also just such a, such a gift.

[00:12:55] For you, like if you could have one bending ability in real life, what would, what would it be? Ooh. So do you know what's so funny? They, uh, season one, they put out that quiz, right? Of what, what bender you would be. And of course I got fire nation. And I was like, you know what? This tracks. I think that I, at first I was like, I think I would probably be an earth bender. I'm not sure if that's just cause I'm in like an earth sign or, or something. I'm almost just like, I feel like earth feels right.

[00:13:25] But then I was like, you know what? Fire is actually really, really cool. Fire is so cool. And it's such a versatile element. And I think it also like there's so much balance to it, right? Something that can be so destructive, but also can be so life giving and, and finding that and being able to channel it in a, in a very controlled manner is such a special skill. Oh, when are they planning to drop season three? The reason I'm asking is cause we'll have to get you back on to continue. Yes.

[00:13:54] Oh my gosh. Yes. I actually have no, I, I wish I knew these things. Um, I know that I know they're, they're still working on a lot of stuff, you know, it's a very VFX heavy show. And so there's a lot involved in that, in that sense, but you know, I'm, I'm, I mean, I'm hoping that maybe after season two drops that we can get a little bit of a hint of, and that's going to come out, but really, I don't know. And I'm just excited to find out as you guys are. Oh, what's next for you? Anything you're allowed to tell us about that you're coming up, you're working on?

[00:14:24] Yeah. Well, first of all, nothing that I can say at the moment, but, um, you know, I would love to play like another fighter character because honestly, this experience doing like stunts and, and, and venturing into this world of playing like a, a warrior. And that was, it was really, really cool. And, you know, I love of course playing, you know, strong women on screen.

[00:14:48] I think that's always something that's lovely to see, lovely to play. And, um, this is my first venture, a live action wise into a fantasy universe. And I think it would be really cool to do another, you know, fantasy oriented, um, project. I think there's like a lot of things that I'd love to, to do. And I know in the years ahead, I'd, I'd love to tell more stories.

[00:15:14] Amazing. Well, good luck with the, go ahead with season two, you know, we'll have to get you back on. We'll have to talk about season three and, uh, we'll keep an eye and you'll see what happens for you next also. Yeah. Thank you so much. Thank you. So, you know,