Streaming giant Netflix is teaming with Nickelodeon to develop a live-action series based upon the beloved animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender, Deadline has revealed.
Premiering in 2005 and running for 61 episodes across three seasons, Avatar follows Aang and his friends as they battle to save the world by defeating the Fire Lord Ozai, ruler of the Fire Nation. The new live-action series will see original creators Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko executive producing, as well as serving as showrunners.
“We’re thrilled for the opportunity to helm this live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender,” said DiMartino and Konietzko. “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.”
“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,” added Netflix’s Melissa Cobb, VP Kids & Family Content.
Avatar: The Last Airbender has previously been adapted for the big screen, although fans are likely to want to forget M. Night Shyamalan’s critically-derided The Last Airbender, which was released back in 2010 and was widely slammed by critics, fans and even the show’s creators.
