AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER Gets A Live-Action Series Adaptation At Netflix
Netflix took to the interwebs to unveil concept art by John Staub for a live-action revival of Nickelodeon’s hit animated series, Avatar: The Last Airbender. As The Wrap notes, original series creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael DiMartino are developing the new show with Nickelodeon the aim of going before cameras next year.
“We’re thrilled for the opportunity to helm this live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender. 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. Netflix is wholly dedicated to manifesting our vision for this retelling, and we’re incredibly grateful to be partnering with them,” explained Konietzko and DiMartino.
Nickelodeon premiered Avatar: The Lasr Airbender in 2005 to award-winning acclaim. Set in a fantasy world divided by four gifted elemental tribes, Aang a young boy out of a century’s stasis, comes to terms with his destiny as the Avatar in maintaining the balance between the elements. The show followed up in 2012 with a spin-off in the form of The Legend Of Korra, whose title heroine is Aang’s reincarnation.
Melissa Cobb, vice-president of Kids & Family Content at Netflix said, “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.”
A live-action film adaptation released in 2010 from director M. Night Shyamalan to the lesser appeal of fans who had since taken to their own means of raising awareness for the Netflix revival of the anime. That the company now sees potential in a live-action format is pretty telling, and so go the remaining details of who will be cast for the new series.
Stay tuned for more info!
Native New Yorker. Lover of all things pizza, chocolate, pets, and good friends. Karaoke hero. Left of center. Survivor. Fond supporter of cult, obscure and independent cinema - especially fond of Asian movies and global action cinema. Author of the bi-weekly Hit List. Founder and editor of Film Combat Syndicate. Still, very much, only human.
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