1. A method, performed by a computer device, the method comprising: receiving, by the computer device, a request to initiate a video call from a first user device to a second user device; requesting, by the computer device, a first avatar for a first user associated with the first user device from a video avatar system that stores the first avatar remotely from the first user device; receiving, by the computer device, the first avatar from the video avatar system, wherein the first avatar corresponds to an image selected by the first user to be used as a replacement for a video stream for video calls associated with the first user; and incorporating, by the computer device, the first avatar into a video stream to the second user device.