Netflix vows that the new iteration, which is set to start production in 2019, will feature 'a culturally appropriate, non-whitewashed cast.'
- Sep 19, 2018
AceShowbiz - "Avatar: The Last Airbender" is returning to the small screen, and this time it is in the form of a live-action series. Much to fans' surprise, Netflix announces its plan to revisit the Nickelodeon animated series with a live-action series.
"A reimagined, live-action 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' series is coming to Netflix!" Netflix's See What's Next writes on Twitter. The tweet is accompanied by a concept art of Aang and his docile, flying animal companion called Appa, by John Staub.
A reimagined, live-action “Avatar: The Last Airbender” series is coming to Netflix!
— See What's Next (@seewhatsnext) September 18, 2018
(ᴄᴏɴᴄᴇᴘᴛ ᴀʀᴛ ʙʏ Jᴏʜɴ Sᴛᴀᴜʙ) pic.twitter.com/YsMoE4UguV
Developed in partnership with Nickelodeon, the new series will hail from original creators Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. The two will serve as showrunners and executive producers. It will start its production in 2019.
"We're thrilled for the opportunity to helm this live-action adaptation of 'Avatar: The Last Airbender'," said Konietzko and DiMartino. The duo later cast fans' doubt by assuring that the show will feature non-whitewashed cast. "We can't wait to realize Aang's world as cinematically as we always imagined it to be, and with a culturally appropriate, non-whitewashed cast."
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance to build upon everyone's great work on the original animated series and go even deeper into the characters, story, action, and world-building," they added. "Netflix is wholly dedicated to manifesting our vision for this retelling, and we're incredibly grateful to be partnering with them."
"We are committed to honoring Bryan and Mike's vision for this retelling and are thrilled to support them on creating a live-action event series, bringing Aang’s epic world of elemental magic to life for global audiences on Netflix," Melissa Cobb, the network’s vice president of Kids and Family Content, added.
Nickelodeon's "The Last Airbender" was set in a fantasy world of benders, individuals who could manipulate one of four natural elements: earth, air, fire, or water. Meanwhile, the Avatar was the one who was capable of mastering all four elements to bring balance to the world. The conflict arose as the Fire Nation rose to dominate the world when the Avatar, who reincarnated into a new body after every lifecycle, vanished. Amid the raging war, Aang appeared in the icy tundra by a Water Nation tribe. He was dubbed "the last Airbender."
The animated series ran for three season on the network from February 2005 to July 2008. It earned multiple Annie Awards, Genesis Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Peabody Award.
Netflix's new iteration was not the only attempt to adapt the show into a live-action. A live-action movie of the series by M. Night Shyamalan debuted in 2010 to heavy criticism by critics and fans.
