Noah Ringer was a shy boy who began taking taekwondo classes in Carrollton. Three years later he is the star of M. Night Shyamalan’s latest film “The Last Airbender.”
“The Last Airbender” has grossed more than $110 million worldwide since its release on July 2. The story focuses on a young boy named Aang who can control the four main elements of life: fire, water, air and earth. It is up to Aang to defeat the evil Fire Lord, Ozai, and restore peace to the world.
However, this story begins long before the opening movie titles. This story focuses on Ringer and his journey to stardom.
Growing up in Farmers Branch, Ringer was homeschooled but his mother wanted to get him involved in activities outside the home. She enrolled Ringer at the ATA Martial Arts in Carrollton.
“Noah came in when he was 10 years old,” said Eric Pechacek, master candidate taekwondo instructor, owner of the ATA Martial Arts in Carrollton and Ringer’s teacher. “He was very hesitant at first, and as I began to teach him I found out that he had a lot of natural talent.”
As time went on, Pechacek began to see more promise in Ringer’s skills and abilities. Pechacek believed Ringer would do well in tournaments and wanted him to begin competing.
“His first tournament was the world championships, a big tournament in Arkansas,” Pechacek said. “He competed in multiple categories and took home first place in all of them.”
During that same tournament, Pechacek said Ringer took notice of the “extreme competition,” a part of the tournament where competitors create their own routine and style that can include flips and weapons.
“Noah ate the idea up, he was so intrigued to come up with his own moves,” Pechacek said. “Over a two-year period, he received 100 medals at the 25 tournaments he went to. Eighty of those medals were first place, but the best part was he never let any of the success go to his head.”
Then one day, Pechacek’s friend encouraged him to watch a cartoon, “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” a Japanese anime cartoon that is shown on Nickelodeon.
“When he first told me about the show I had no interest at all,” Pechacek said. “I rented a video, and I actually liked it. The main character in the show looked just like Noah. I showed it to Noah and he fell in love with it as well.”
Pechacek said every time a new episode would come out it would be a race between him and Noah to buy it and watch it. On one of the DVD’s bonus features was an interview with director M. Night Shyamalan talking about the motion picture adaptation.
Pechacek said he and Ringer would joke about Ringer becoming The Last Airbender, but never actually believing it could become a reality. Later that year in July 2008, Pechacek received an e-mail from Paramount pictures having an open casting call looking for the lead character of “Aang.”
“The e-mail asked for him to send a video with the person reading a few lines and then showing off some of your moves,” Pechacek said. “As soon as I received the e-mail I told the Ringers that Noah needs to try for this. There is a 99 percent chance that nothing will happen but we should give it a shot.”
Ringer’s parents agreed to the idea. For the video, Pechacek’s wife made a costume similar to the cartoon’s character. In addition, Ringer painted the trademark blue arrow on his head to look the part of “Aang.”
Pechacek said Ringer performed a routine that he used during his “extreme competitions,” and sent the tape off not thinking much would come of it.
“We found out that over 2,000 people sent a tape in from all over the world,” Pechacek said. “Once we found that out we said ‘it was fun.’”
In November 2008, Ringer received a call back from a casting director wanting him to come in for an interview. According to Pechacek, of the 2,000 applicants only 16 were called in for interviews.
Ringer and his family flew to Philadelphia for the interview. According to Pechacek, Ringer went into a closed session while his parents waited outside. He came out and sat back down, and noticed that half of the call backs left.
“Noah’s parents asked how it went and he said well,” Pechacek said. “His parents asked who was in there and he said M. Night Shyamalan.”
Ringer was called back in once again, and everyone left except for Ringer and one other boy. Pechacek said that Ringer was told to assume that he did not get the role and continue on with your everyday life.
In December 2008, the Ringer’s asked if Pechacek and his wife would like to have dinner together. Pechacek said he knew something was going on when the Ringer’s invited them over.
“Noah asked me if he could talk to me, he said he had something to tell me,” Pechacek said. “I was thinking he was going to leave the school, I assumed the worst. Instead, Noah looked at me and said ‘I am The Last Airbender.’ I asked him ‘what do you mean?’ and Noah said they called him back and he got the part. Needless to say I was going crazy.”
Pechacek said Ringer received three phone calls, one from was from the casting director, one was from the studio and the final call from M. Night Shyamalan himself saying we have been looking for you for three years.
Later that month, Ringer received his black belt in taekwondo ahead of schedule because he would be off filming. According to Pechacek, Ringer tested and was able to receive his black belt; it took him less than three years to receive the rank.
Ringer then had until February 2009 to begin taking acting classes as well as training for the film.
“Noah had 60 days to learn how to act,” Pechacek said. “He attended the Young Actors Studio in Farmers Branch. They did an amazing job coaching him.”
During the 60 days prior to filming, Ringer was taking acting classes, gymnastics, and taekwondo and learning new forms of martial arts for the film.
“He was able to learn two new forms of kung-fu in a week,” Pechacek said.
Pechacek kept in contact with his student while he was off filming. In May 2009 Pechacek and his family were invited to Philadelphia by Shyamalan to see Ringer on set. “An amazing experience” Pechacek said.
According to Pechacek, the most shocking thing about the entire experience came when filming was over. Pechacek said he received a call from Ringer asking his instructor if it would be OK to return to class.
“When he went to go shoot the movie, I wrote Noah a letter saying it was an honor to teach you, good luck on your future” Pechacek said. “When he came back it brought tears to my ears. He said he missed his friends and he wanted to get his second degree black belt. I was shocked, but he is always welcome.”
Pechacek said Ringer’s mother would let her son come back on one condition, “only if Noah can be Noah.” Pechacek said he would have it no other way.
According to Pechacek, when Ringer has time, he is a regular 13-year-old boy. However, his performance has caught the eye of Iron Man director Jon Favreau. Ringer was offered another role and is currently in New Mexico shooting the movie “Cowboys and Aliens” which co-stars Harrison Ford, Daniel Craig, Olivia Wilde and Sam Rockwell.
Once the shooting of “Cowboys and Aliens” concludes in September, the master hopes his student will once again return to class.
“Our entire school is so proud of him. I am so proud of him,” Pechacek said. “I have had the joy of getting to hang out with him and know him. I wish him and his family nothing but the best.”
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