‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Live Action Series Heading to Netflix

Netflix has just announced that they are partnering up with Nickelodeon and creators Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko to bring a live-action retelling of the iconic animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender to the streaming network.

On the off chance that you aren’t familiar with The Last Airbender, it tells the tale of Aang, a young boy who is the only one in a world of people who can control the elements that can control all of them. After running from his duties as the one prophesized to bring peace and balance to the world, he is trapped in ice for 100 years. During that time The Fire Kingdom wipes out his kind (Airbenders) and wages war against the Earth-benders and Water-benders. Together with his friends and his giant flying bison, Aang must bring harmony to the land and take down the evil Fire Lord Ozai.

Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko are set to come on board as producers on the new show. In a statement, they had this to say:

“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.”

If some of that statement sounds like they are throwing a bit of shade, it’s because they are. As you might remember (no matter how hard we try to forget), M Night Shamalyan had previously adapted the property as a live-action film to disastrous results. Hopefully, this is a chance to give The Last Airbender series the adaptation it truly deserves. Who knows, if it goes well, we might even get a Korra series somewhere down the line.

Source: Deadline