
Fans of the original Avatar: The Last Airbender were thrilled when the cult-classic animated TV series hit Netflix in May. (opens in new tab) So the news that the show was being reimagined by Netflix in live-action format was thrilling—and, for some, a little worrying, since the content is famously tough to adapt. Creators were sure to note right away that this version is starkly different from M. Night Shyamalan's The Last Airbender film, which was pretty much panned across the board and currently has a 5 percent (opens in new tab) rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Netflix released the news (opens in new tab) of the new live-action remake in 2018, but it's not exactly clear what the release date will be: It's currently slated for 2020, but could come as late as 2021, given production delays due to the coronavirus. At the moment, the show is still somewhere in the middle of development/pre-production (opens in new tab) and details are pretty scarce, but what do we know so far?
Who's working on the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender adaptation?
Production started on the series in 2019, and the original show creators Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko were brought onto the project as showrunners and executive producers (which bodes well for a faithful adaptation). Original composer Jeremy Zuckerman and original voice actor Dante Basco are apparently on board as well.
A post shared by Bryan Konietzko (@bryankonietzko) (opens in new tab)
A photo posted by on
It's unclear who the live-action cast is or will be, but DiMartino and Konietzko released a statement that is incredibly encouraging: "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...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.” This has raised some interesting questions—yes, the actors will be age-appropriate (10-15 years old) but it's unclear exactly how the different (fictional) cultures in the cartoon will translate to actual casting.
What other details do we have about Avatar: The Last Airbender?
The only visual we have so far is concept art, but so far it looks beautiful:
A reimagined, live-action “Avatar: The Last Airbender” series is coming to Netflix! (ᴄᴏɴᴄᴇᴘᴛ ᴀʀᴛ ʙʏ Jᴏʜɴ Sᴛᴀᴜʙ) pic.twitter.com/YsMoE4UguVSeptember 18, 2018
Konietzko urged fans to be patient as they work through the details of this "daunting, incredibly complex thing" and explained that they're taking things slowly in order to represent the content as well as possible:
A post shared by Bryan Konietzko (@bryankonietzko) (opens in new tab)
A photo posted by on
And fingers crossed all the time invested in the new series pays off.
Is the new The Last Airbender series based on the cartoon?
Yes—the original, award-winning Nickelodeon series aired from 2005 to 2008 and actually returned to Netflix (opens in new tab) in May of this year (the sequel series, The Legend of Korra, is not on Netflix at the moment). In case you're unfamiliar with the basic plot of the original show:
Avatar: The Last Airbender...takes place in a medieval fantasy realm...where certain people are capable of controlling one of the four classic elements: Water, earth, fire, or air. Only one person at a time is capable of using all four; that person is called the Avatar, and when the Avatar dies they are reincarnated into the next generation so there's always someone around to keep balance in the world. The titular protagonist of A:TLA is Aang (Zach Tyler Eisen) who was frozen in a block of ice for 100 years after his people, the airbenders, were wiped out in a genocidal attack. Aang...must work with friends like Katara (Mae Whitman) and Sokka (Jack DeSena) to end the war and restore balance.
The cartoon immediately became Netflix's most popular show (opens in new tab). Chances are, in addition to longstanding fans of the series, it also gained new viewers as well—ostensibly a show for kids, people insist that adults can absolutely enjoy The Last Airbender.
(opens in new tab)
WATCH 'AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER' ON NETFLIX (opens in new tab)
RELATED STORIES
Katherine’s a Boston-based contributor at Marie Claire who covers fashion, culture, and lifestyle—from “Clueless” to Everlane to news about Lizzo. She’s been a freelancer for 11 years and has had roles with Cosmopolitan and Bustle, with bylines in Parents, Seventeen, and elsewhere. It’s “I go to dinner,” not “Her huge ego,” but she responds to both.
-
It's Not Too Early to Start Thinking About Festival Fashion
Get inspired for your trip to the desert.
By Julia Marzovilla
-
This Magic Concealer Is My Holy Grail
It works like magic on pimples, under the eyes, *and* around the face.
By Julia Marzovilla
-
The Jewelry Trend Report You Need Ahead of Spring
Super-sized pearls, summer camp-core, and more.
By Emma Childs
-
The 75 Best K-Dramas You'll Be Completely Hooked On
Wait, how is it already 2 a.m.?
By Quinci LeGardye
-
Selena Gomez Revealed Meryl Streep Is Joining 'Only Murders in the Building' Season 3
Fans are losing it.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
The 56 Best Musical Movies of All Time: Iconic Movie Musicals
All the dance numbers! All the show tunes!
By Amanda Mitchell
-
Sophia Brown on Joining the World of ‘The Witcher: Blood Origin’
The actress opens up about the “surreal process” of playing the Lark in the Netflix fantasy prequel.
By Quinci LeGardye
-
'Ginny & Georgia' Season 2: Everything We Know
Netflix owes us answers after that ending.
By Zoe Guy
-
29 Nude Movies With Porn-Level Nudity
All the nudity of porn, but with the plot and storylines of mainstream film.
By Kayleigh Roberts
-
The Cast of 'The Crown' Season 5: Your Guide
The Mountbatten-Windsors have been recast—again.
By Andrea Park
-
Who Is Hasnat Khan, Princess Diana’s Boyfriend on Season 5 of ‘The Crown’?
Di’s friends have said she referred to the doctor as “the love of her life.”
By Andrea Park