AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER sequel movie gets a trailer

A trailer has been released for the incoming new Avatar: The Last Airbender animated film.

Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender is the first animated project to be released by Avatar Studios. Headed up by original Avatar: The Last Airbender creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael DiMartino, they are currently working on three films and a new TV series, Avatar: Seven Havens, with the latter due to air in 2027.

The original Avatar: The Last Airbender aired in three seasons from 2005 to 2008 and became a huge hit, telling the story of Aang, the lost Avatar (the only person capable of using all four elemental forms of magic at once), and his struggle to defeat the evil Fire Lord. A sequel series, Avatar: The Legend of Korra aired in four shorter seasons from 2012 to 2014 and told the story of Korra, Aang's successor Avatar, seventy years later. Seven Havens will be set decades later and explore the story of Korra's successor, Pavi.

Avatar Aang is set much closer to the original TV series and sees the original gang reunite when another airbender is found frozen in ice. Aang learns of a mystical staff that could help restore the destroyed airbender culture, but another group called the Denied is also seeking the staff.

The film has already run into hot water, with the producers facing criticism for recasting almost the entire original voice cast from the series, despite many of them still working and their aging since the original show being appropriate since the characters are also older. The entire film also leaked online several months ago. Paramount has also annoyed fans by moving the film from a planned theatrical release to being a Paramount+ streaming exclusive.

The film will be released on Paramount+ on 25 July. Meanwhile, the second season of the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender remake recently landed on Netflix.

AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER sequel film gets voice cast and working title announcement

Nickelodeon and Paramount have released some more information about their upcoming animated Avatar: The Last Airbender sequel film, which has a 2025 release date.

The film currently has the working title Aang: The Last Airbender and is set some years after the events of the animated series. It will depict Aang and his friends Zuko, Katara, Sokka and Toph as adults taking on a new threat in the form of a villain who will be played by Guardians of the Galaxy and Dune actor Dave Bautista.

Eric Nam, Dionne Quan, Jessica Matten and Roman Zaragoza will also be part of the voice cast. It's unclear if any of the original Avatar voice cast will return, although several of them are no longer active in the industry.

Original Avatar co-creators Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko are behind this new project, alongside Avatar veteran Lauren Montgomery, who will direct. The team previously explored this era in a series of comic books, although the new film is not believed to be a direct adaptation of any of them.

The film will be the first project to be released by Avatar Studios. The team also have a new series in development, rumoured to be about the Earthbender Avatar who succeeds Korra, so will presumably be set many decades even after The Legend of Korra (which in turn was set ~70 years after the events of Avatar: The Last Airbender), if the report is accurate.

The studio is also reportedly developing a number of other potential projects from all over Avatar's timeline.

Nickelodeon are likely keen to strike whilst the iron is hot on new projects after the success of the live-action show on Netflix. Although the critical reception was mixed, the show attracted a large number of viewers and Netflix has agreed to fund two further seasons to bring the story to a conclusion.

AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER renewed for two more seasons at Netflix

Netflix has renewed its live-action take on Avatar: The Last Airbender for two more seasons, which will also conclude the story. With each season mirroring that of the original animated series (2005-08), which also only lasted for three seasons, that's hardly surprising.

Avatar: The Last Airbender dropped two weeks ago on Netflix to a mixed reception from fans and critics. However, casual viewers seemed much happier, with the show jumping to the top of Netflix's "most-watched" list. The show has also maintained a healthy viewership for a second week, comparable to earlier animation-to-live-action hit One Piece.

The renewal will allow the team to complete the story in full, which is sure to be a great relief for viewers frustrated by Netflix constantly cancelling shows before their time.

Although the original series concluded after three seasons, spin-off show The Legend of Korra, set seventy years later, lasted for four seasons (2012-14) and could provide material for a similar adaptation. There are also substantial numbers of Avatar spin-off comics and novels, and the original creators are producing an original animated movie for release in 2025 featuring the original characters as adults.

Netflix releases trailer and release date for AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER

Netflix have unveiled the trailer and release date for their live-action take on the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender.

The original animated show ran for three seasons from 2005 to 2008 and won significant critical acclaim, which has only increased over the years through reruns and re-releases. It spawned a spin-off show, The Legend of Korra, which ran for four seasons from 2012 to 2014.

The main cast includes Gordon Cormier as Aang, Dallas Liu as Prince Zuko, Kiawentiio as Katara, Ian Ousley as Sokka, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as General Iroh, Elizabeth Yu as Princess Azula, Daniel Dae Kim as Fire Lord Azula. Recurring castmembers include Ken Leung as Commander Zhao, Maria Zhang as Suki, Lim Kay Siu as Gyatso, Amber Midthunder as Princess Yue, Yvonne Chapman as Avatar Kiroshi, C.S. Lee as Avatar Roku, Danny Pudi as the Mechanist, Utkarsh Ambudkar as King Bumi, James Sie as the Cabbage Merchant, Arden Cho as June the Bounty Hunter, Momona Tamada as Ty Lee, Thalia Tran as Mai, Meegwun Fairbrother as Avatar Kuruk, Hiro Kanagawa as Fire Lord Sozin, George Takei as Koh the Face-Stealer and Sebastian Amoruso as Jet.

The first season consists of eight episodes. Original Avatar creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko are listed as the writers of the first episode and the co-writers of the sixth episode, despite parting ways with the project early in development. DiMartino and Konietzko are developing new Avatar animated projects with Nickelodeon, including a new animated sequel movie to the original series.

Avatar: The Last Airbender arrives on Netflix on 22 February.

Netflix offers a first look at its take on AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER, coming in 2024

Netflix have offered the first look at its upcoming live-action take on the classic Nickelodeon animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Gordon Cormier plays Aang, a young member of the Air Nomads who discovered he was the reincarnation of the Avatar, a powerful "bender" or manipulator of the four elements. The Avatar is the only person who can wield all four of the elements. Frozen in ice for a century, Aang's return coincides with the machinations of the evil Fire Lord (Daniel Dae Kim), who sets out to conquer the world with his armies.

Kiawentiio plays Katara, a young member of the Southern Water Tribe and a skilled waterbender and healer.

Ian Osuley plays Sokka, Katara's older brother. He lacks any bending powers but aspires to be a great and skilled warrior. His sense of humour and constant quipping leads to him being underestimated by opponents.

Dallas Liu plays Prince Zuko, the young son of the Fire Lord. His father was unimpressed with his timidity as a youth and has sent him out into the world to learn military skills and discipline. Zuko realises that capturing the Avatar and bringing him to his father would allow him to regain his honour, and sets about that task with zeal. Zuko is given guidance and advice by his tea-loving uncle, Iroh (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee).

The show also stars Ken Leung as Commander Zhao, Maria Zhang as Suki, Elizabeth Yu as Princess Azula, Lim Kay Siu as Gyatso, Amber Midthunder as Princess Yue, Yvonne Chapman as Avatar Kyoshi, C.S. Lee as Avatar Roku, Danny Pudi as The Mechanist, Utkarsh Ambudkar as King Bumi, James Sie as the Cabbage Merchant, Momona Tamada as Ty Lee, Thalia Tran as Mai, Meegwun Fairbrother as Avatar Kuruk, Sebastian Amoruso as Jet, Hiro Kanagawa as Fire Lord Sozin and George Takei as Koh the Face Stealer.

Netflix also released a short clip, although it wasn't very informative:

The show filmed from November 2021 to June 2022. Netflix has indicated that the show will not air until early 2024, a significant delay that raises questions about how long it will take to air further seasons, given the young ages of the primary castmembers.

Meanwhile, the original creators are working with Nickelodeon on new Avatar: The Last Airbender material, with an animated sequel movie to the original TV series due for release in 2025 and several additional projects in development.

AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER sequel film gets 2025 release date

Paramount have revealed a first look at the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender sequel film. The new animated film will be released on 10 October 2025.

The new film is set some years after the events of Avatar: The Last Airbender but still decades before the events of spin-off show The Legend of Korra. Based on the still, Aang and the gang are maybe 10-15 years older than in the original show.

Avatar co-creators Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko previously explored the years immediately after the events of the original show in a series of comic books and graphic novels, which explored the aftermath of the devastating war against the Fire Lord and the fate of the Fire Kingdom's colonies on the mainland, which the other kingdoms wanted removed despite some of them having been there for a century. The conflict over these lands eventually leads to the creation of a new, neutral kingdom which we know will eventually transform into The Legend of Korra's Republic City.

The Legend of Korra, which takes place 70 years after the events of Avatar, previously featured the characters of Katara, Zuko and Toph in their old age (Sokka having died off-screen and Aang, of course, having died to allow Korra to be born). That show featured several brief flashbacks to a time period when Aang and the gang were in their 30s and 40s, which left fans eager to see more.

The new film is in production at Flying Bark Productions, with DiMartino and Konietzko on board as producers, with Eric Coleman and Lauren Montgomery directing. It's not been confirmed yet if the original voice cast is returning. Nickelodeon, Paramount and Avatar Studios are collaborating on the project.

The new Avatar film is the first of several new projects in the setting coming up. Nickelodeon and Paramount are also developing a new animated series and two further films, although nothing about their setting or characters have been confirmed, despite speculation that the second film would focus on Zuko and the third on the next Avatar after Korra.

Netflix also wrapped up filming of a live-action remake of the first season of Avatar some months ago. That series is expected to debut later in 2023.

Netflix's AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER remake in post-production, announces remainder of main cast

Shooting on Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender remake wrapped a few months ago and the series is deep in post-production. Netflix have now chosen to reveal the rest of the main cast from the series.

Source.

The full announced cast (including previously-announced roles) now comprises:

Main Cast

• Gordon Cormier as Aang, the Avatar.
• Kiawentiio Tarbell as Katara.
• Ian Ousley as Sokka.
• Dallas Liu as Prince Zuko.
• Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as General Iroh.
• Daniel Dae Kim as Fire Lord Ozai.

The Avatars

• Yvonne Chapman as Kyoshi, a prior incarnation of the Avatar.
• C.S. Leek as Roku, a prior incarnation of the Avatar.
• Meegun Fairbrother as Kuruk, a prior incarnation of the Avatar.

The Southern Water Tribe

• Casey Camp-Horinek as Gran-Gran, matriarch of the Southern Water Tribe.
• Rainbow Dickerson as Kya, Sokka and Katara's mother.
• Joel Montgrand as Hakoda, Sokka and Katara's father.

The Northern Water Tribe

• Nathaniel Arcand as Arnook, the chief of the Northern Water Tribe.
• Amber Midthunder as Princess Yue of the Northern Water Tribe.
• Irene Bedard as Yagoda, a Northern Water Tribe healer.
• A. Martinez as Pakku, a Waterbending master.
• Joel Outlette as Hahn, a Northern Water Tribe soldier.
• Sebastian Amoruso as Jet, the leader of the Freedom Fighters.

The Fire Nation

• Ken Leung as Commander Zhao.
• Elizabeth Yu as Princess Azula.
• Momona Tamada as Ty Lee.
• Thalia Tran as Mai.
• Ryan Mah as Lieutenant Dang of the Fire Nation Navy.
• Francois Chau as the Great Sage of the Fire Temple.
• Hiro Kanagawa as Fire Lord Sozin.

The Earth Kingdom

• Maria Zhang as Suki, commander of the Kyoshi Warriors.
• Tamlyn Tomita as Yukari, Suki's mother.
• Danny Pudi as the Mechanist, an inventor from the Earth Kingdom.
• Lucian-River Chauhan as Teo, the Mechanist's son.
• Utkarsh Ambudkar as King Bumi of Omashu.
• Arden Cho as June, a bounty hunter.
• James Sie as the Cabbage Merchant.

The Air Nomads

• Lim Kay Siu as Gyatso, an Air Nomad.

Spirits

• George Takei as Koh the Face-Stealer.
• Randall Duk Kim as Wan Shi Tong, the spirit who guards a great library.

It's notable that James Sie reprises his role as the Cabbage Merchant from the original animated television series, making him the only actor to play the same role in both versions. Daniel Dae Kim voiced General Fong and Hiroshi Sato on the original Avatar and The Legend of Korra, whilst George Takei memorably voiced the Warden on the original show ("Get me someone I haven't thrown overboard!").

Based on the characters announced, it looks like Netflix's Avatar will draw primarily on the first season (of three) of the animated series for its storylines, but some characters from Season 2 of the animated series will also be debuting early, such as Ty Lee and Mai. No casting has been announced for the fan-favourite role of Toph, making it more likely that, as in the animated series, she won't appear until a potential second season of the remake.

Netflix have not announced a release date for the show, but early 2023 seems like a reasonable bet at this time. Albert Kim is serving as showrunner and head writer.

The first new AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER project will be about Aang and his friends

It's been confirmed that the first new Nickelodeon Avatar: The Last Airbender project will focus on the original cast and will be set after the original show. The news was revealed at the San Diego Comic-Con.

Original Avatar creators Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko have teamed up with Nickelodeon to create new animated projects in the same universe. Three animated movies have so far been greenlit, with at least the first set for a theatrical release. The first movie will be directed by Lauren Montgomery (Voltron: Legendary Defender, The Legend of Korra). DiMartino and Konietzko will write, with OG Avatar writer Eric Coleman also on board. Further projects, including a new ongoing animated series, are also under discussion.

It's assumed that the original voice cast will return. The precise storyline for the sequel is unknown, but DiMartino and Konietzko previously authorised a series of graphic novels dealing with subjects like the search for Zuko's mother and political tensions between the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Kingdom colonies cut out of its territory a hundred years earlier, eventually leading to the founding of Republic City. These graphic novels could provide a storyboard for new projects, or the writers may choose to tackle unrelated subjects.

These projects are unrelated to the live-action remake of the original animated series being worked on at Netflix. The first season of that project wrapped production last month and will debut on Netflix in 2023.

New AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER animated projects expand to three movies and a TV show

Nickelodeon and Team Avatar have confirmed that they are now working on three new Avatar: The Last Airbender-related animated films and a TV series. One of these projects will be CG-animated, the others using the more traditional techniques of the original series.

It was announced in February 2021 that Nickelodeon had set up a new dedicated studio to exclusively focus on new animated projects in the Avatar: The Last Airbender world. Original creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael DiMartino are heading up the studio which will involve a number of different projects in total. Eric Coleman, who also worked on the original animated series, is on board as well.

Lauren Montgomery, who worked on Voltron: Legendary Defender and The Legend of Korra, will direct the first of the three movies. At the moment the plan is for the three movies to be unrelated, not part of a trilogy. The time period and characters involved are unknown.

Avatar: The Last Airbender ran for three seasons from 2005 to 2008, achieving immense critical acclaim and commercial success. Sequel series The Legend of Korra ran for four seasons from 2012 to 2014. There have also been a number of spin-off novels, graphic novels and video games.

Netflix are currently shooting the first season of a live-action remake of the animated series. Konietzko and DiMartino were involved but parted ways with the project in August 2020 over creative differences. Albert Kim has subsequently taking over as showrunner and production is underway, with a cast including Gordon Cormier, Kiawentio, Ian Ousley, Dallas Liu, Daniel Dae Kim, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Lim Kay Siu, Ken Leung, Elizabeth Yu, Maria Zhang, Tamlyn Tomita, Yvonne Chapman and Casey Camp-Horinek.

Avatar Studios hiring for new animated LAST AIRBENDER projects

Avatar Studios have put out a job notice for a storyboard artist for their new projects set in the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra.

As confirmed a year ago, original Avatar IP creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael DiMartino have set up Avatar Studios as a division of Nickelodeon. The new studio will produce multiple new projects in the Avatar universe, starting with an animated feature film for theatrical release. The time period, setting and characters for the project are unknown, but for a feature film they'd presumably want to go with the original, classic cast. There are multiple Avatar graphic novels expanding on events immediately after the original TV series which could be adapted, as well as the possibility of next generation-style story set decades later with the kids all grown up (as briefly seen in flashbacks in The Legend of Korra).

These animated projects are separate from the live-action show currently in production at Netflix.

Netflix's AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER adds more castmembers

Netflix's live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender has added a number of new castmembers.

Newcomer Elizabeth Yu has been cast as Azula, the princess of the Fire Nation. Azula is a master of lightning-bending. She is the ruthlessly ambitious younger sister of Prince Zuko (Dallas James Liu).

Maria Zhang (WorkInProgress) will play Suki. A skilled warrior and leader of a band of Kyoshi Warriors, elite female warriors following the ideals of the deceased Avatar, Kyoshi. Suki becomes a recurring ally of Team Avatar in their struggle against the Fire Nation. Tamlyn Tomita (Babylon 5, Star Trek: Picard) will play her mother, Yukari. Yvonne Chapman (Kung Fu, Family Law) will player Avatar Kyoshi herself, presumably in flashbacks and dream sequences (which is how she appears in the original animated series).

Casey Camp-Horinek (Reservation Dogs) is playing Gran-Gran, Katara and Sokka's grandmother and the matriarch of their village.

The already-announced cast includes Gordon Cormier as Aang, Kiawantiio as Katara, Ian Ousley as Sokka, Dallas Liu as Zuko, Daniel Dae Kim as Fire Lord Ozai, Paul Sun Hyung-Lee as Uncle Iroh, Lim Kay Siu as Gyatso and Ken Leung as Commander Zhao.

Production on Avatar: The Last Airbender is set to begin in the new few weeks, to debut on Netflix in late 2022 or (more likely) early 2023. Albert Kim is executive producing and showrunning.

Live-action AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER casts Uncle Iroh, starts shooting

Netflix has confirmed the casting of one of the most eagerly-awaited roles in its Avatar: The Last Airbender live-action TV adaptation. In a fan-pleasing movie, the role will by played by Kim's Convenience star and The Mandalorian guest star Paul Sun-Hyung Lee.

Lee has been one of the most common fancasts for the role since the show was announced. Iroh, the former heir to the Fire Nation throne until the death of his son and his subsequent grief-induced trauma rendered him unfit and ripe for usurpation by his young brother, Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim), is a mentor and companion to his rash nephew, Zuko (Dallas Liu). Zuko, in exile for cowardice when the show starts, seeks to capture the newly-revived Avatar to bring glory to his nation and restore his honour in the eyes of his father. Ozai wants Zuko to be a ruthless, amoral killer like himself, but Iroh tries to teach his nephew the ways of actual honour, kindness and inspiring troops through bravery and empathy. Iroh and Zuko's methods of dealing with the Avatar are in disagreement for most of the series.

Paul Sun-Hyung Lee rose to fame as the patriarch of the titular, convenience-store-owning family in Canadian comedy series Kim's Convenience, which ran for five seasons (2016-21). He also originated the role on the Canadian stage. Most of his work has been in on stage, but his success in Kim's Convenience has seen him break out into other roles. He has played guest roles on Dark Matter and Private Eyes, and played the role of New Republic Captain Carson Teva, an X-wing pilot, on two episodes of The Mandalorian. He was believed to be due to reprise the role in spin-off show Rangers of the New Republic, but that show was put on indefinite hold a few months ago, freeing him up for Avatar.

Veteran Singaporean actor Lim Kay Siu (Anna and the King, Night Watch) is playing Gyatso, a senior Air Nomad monk at the Southern Air Temple. Gyatso was the mentor, guardian and teacher of Avatar Aang (Gordon Cormier) before Aang was suspended in ice. Gyatso will, presumably as in the animated series, appear in flashbacks.

American actor Ken Leung has an impressive resume, having appeared in Rush Hour, AI: Artificial Intelligence, Vanilla Sky, X-Men: The Last Stand and multiple instalments of the Saw franchise, as Detective Sing. He also appeared in Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (as Admiral Statura). In television he is best-known for playing the role of reluctant spiritualist con man Miles Straume on Lost, appearing in 45 episodes spanning the fourth through sixth seasons. His other TV roles have included The Blacklist, Industry, Inhumans, Zero Hour, The Good Wife, Person of Interest and The Sopranos.

Leung is playing Commander Zhao, an ambitious Fire Nation naval captain who learns of the Avatar's revival and plots to capture or kill him, sometimes working with and sometimes against Prince Zuko. Zhao is the primary antagonist of the first season of the original series.

From left to right (top row): Lindsey Liberatore (producer), Jet Wilkinson (director), JAbbar Raisani (director), Albert Kim (showrunner), Michael Goi (producer-director), Ian Ousley (Sokka), Dallas Liu (Zuko), Roseanne Ling (producer-director), Dan Lin (producer). Seated: Kiawentiio (Katara), Gordon Cormier (Aang).

Principal photography on the show began today, with Netflix releasing a group photo of the main cast and crew. Shooting is expected to run through the end of spring 2022, with the show to air in late 2022 or early 2023.

Daniel Dae Kim joins the live-action AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER project

Veteran actor Daniel Dae Kim (Lost, Hawaii Five-O, Crusade) has joined Netflix's live-action version of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Kim will play Fire Lord Ozai, the ruler of the Fire Nation and the primary antagonist of the series.

It's a reunion between Kim and the franchise, as he previously voiced the character of General Fong in the original series (and a spin-off video game), and also voiced recurring character Hiroshi Sato on the sequel series, The Legend of Korra.

Kim is a good catch for the project, as the actor-producer-writer is a hot Hollywood property these days in television, having recently acted in or produced The Hot Zone: Anthrax, New Amsterdam, The Good Doctor and The Premise.

The previously-announced cast includes Gordon Cormier as Aang, Kiawentiio as Katar, Ian Ousley as Sokka and Dallas Liu as Prince Zuko, Fire Lord Ozai's son. Albert Kim is the showrunner and head writer, taking over from Avatar franchise creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino, who quit the project in 2020 following creative differences with Netflix. Konietzko and DiMartino are now heading up Avatar Studios for Nickelodeon, which will produce new animated projects in the Avatar universe.

Kim's casting as a series regular hints that the adaptation will delve into the Fire Nation's politics and Zuko's complicated family earlier than in the animated series, where Ozai (voiced by Mark Hamill) did not appear until the end of Season 1. Fans are particularly keen to find out who is playing the role of Uncle Iroh, Ozai's brother and Zuko's uncle, who accompanies his nephew into exile.

Netflix's take on Avatar: The Last Airbender is expected to enter production imminently for a late 2022/early 2023 debut.

Netflix announces cast of AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER live-action adaptation

Netflix has unveiled the core cast of its live-action reboot of the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender.

The series stars Gordon Cormier (Lost in Space, The Stand) as Aang, Kiawentio (Rutherford Falls) as Katara, Ian Ousley (13 Reasons Why) as Sokka and Dallas Liu (Bones, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Five Rings) as Zuko.

The show will be written and showrun by Albert Kim (Sleepy Hollow). Michael Goi, Roseanne Liang and Jabbar Raisani will be the directors for the first series.

Netflix have confirmed that they plan to make a "faithful and authentic" adaptation of the original Nickelodeon series, which has a large international fanbase and rocked to the top of Netflix's charts when it started airing the animated series last year. The project has been in development for years, with the original animated creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino in charge. However, they quit in 2020, citing differences of opinion with Netflix, whose representatives they claimed were interfering with development. They have since returned to Nickelodeon to launch Avatar Studios and are developing animated projects set in the world of the original series, starting with a new animated feature film.

This news, and leaked casting sides suggesting wide-ranging changes to the plot and characterisation, had raised concerns among fans. However, the casting and Netflix's character descriptions are relatively faithful to the original show (the leaked casting sides had swapped Katara and Sokka's ages, whilst the actual press release restores them). Showrunner Albert Kim has promised a series that will use its greater running time to expand character and story arcs whilst keeping the original story intact.

More casting announcements are expected, particularly for the fan-favourite character of Uncle Iroh.

New AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER projects in development with original creators

Avatar: The Last Airbender is to get a major relaunch, with original creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael DiMartino heading up a new division at Nickelodeon specifically designed to expand the show's fictional universe. They have already announced their first project, an animated feature film for theatrical release.

Avatar Studios will develop new animated films, television series and spin-off projects in the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender and its spin-off, The Legend of Korra.

Netflix are currently developing a live-action TV series based on the animated series. Konietzko and DiMartino were in charge of the project but quit last year, citing constant creative interference from executives. Recent reports suggest that Netflix wanted sweeping changes, including changing the ages of characters and possibly changing romantic relationships. These have met with a withering response from fans.

The new projects will remain in the canon of the original series and will expand the world further. It is unclear if the original voice cast will return, although most of the team did recently get back together for a cast reunion and seemed keen to get back together if needed.

RUMOUR: Netflix closing on deal for new AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER showrunner

Netflix is reportedly closing in on a showrunner for their live-action version of Avatar: The Last Airbender. 

Albert Kim was previously a writer-producer and later showrunner on Sleepy Hollow and Nikita, and a writer on Leverage and Dirt. The reports indicate that Kim may already have the gig, or been offered it.

He inherits a poisoned chalice: whilst the prospect of a live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender TV series remains intriguing, the project was tarnished when creators and original showrunners Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko quit last year, citing repeated creative interference and an apparent unwillingness by Netflix to allow them to make a faithful adaptation of the original show.

The original reports indicate that Netflix have indeed requested more changes, including aging up the character of Katara to 16 and reducing the age of her brother Sokka to 14. Aang is still 12. This change - although only rumoured at present - indicates massive changes to the character dynamics. It seems much less likely that an Aang/Katara romance (a key plot point of the original) will be on the cards, and it's less clear if Sokka's growth as a warrior and eventually a military strategist will still be a part of the story (although Sokka's age has only been dropped by one year, so it's possible this arc will still unfold). Some fans have speculated that the change was done to allow Netflix to cast an older actress for Katara, and the possibility of instead pursuing a relationship angle with the character of Zuko (a popular fan-ship in the original series).

In the meantime, Avatar: The Last Airbender has become the most popular animated series on Netflix since it started airing a few months ago, an impressive achievement for a show that is now sixteen years old. DiMartino and Konietzko have indicated a potential willingness to return to the world for more animated stories (similar to their previous spin-off show, The Legend of Korra), but it's unclear if there is a firm plan in place.

Reportedly, Avatar: The Last Airbender should start shooting later this year for a 2022 debut on Netflix.

AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER tabletop roleplaying game to be released in 2022

Magpie Games has signed a deal with Viacom CBS to develop a roleplaying game system based on the hit animated shows Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra.

Magpie Games publishes TTRPGs and board games, with their best-known game being Root. Their other products include Cartel, Chaos Worlds, Zombie World and Urban Shadows.

The tabletop game will allow players to play in the time period of either Avatar or its spin-off/sequel show The Legend of Korra, and will consist of a core rulebook due for release in February 2022 and two expansions, Republic City and The Spirit World, due in August 2022 and February 2023 respectively. The game will use the Powered by the Apocalypse ruleset used for Apocalypse World and Dungeon World.

Netflix are currently in pre-production on a live-action TV show basted on Avatar: The Last Airbender, although that project is mired in controversy after the two creators and showrunners quit last year, citing network interference, with fans now calling for it to be scrapped.

AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER creators depart Netflix live-action reboot after losing "creative control"

In a shock move, the original co-creators of Avatar: The Last Airbender have resigned from their positions as showrunners and executive producers of Netflix's live-action remake.

Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, the creators of the original animated show, were tapped by Netflix two years ago to lead a live-action remake of the series. Their plan was to correct the mistakes that led to M. Night Shyamalan's badly-received 2009 live-action film and to deliver a story that was true to the spirit of the original series whilst also allowing for some changes due to the shift in medium.

In particular, DiMartino and Konietzko were keen to ensure continuity in terms of ethnic casting (the 2009 movie infamously "whitewashed" several key roles, replacing characters meant to be inspired by Inuit or Asian backgrounds with white actors) with the original animated show. It appears that Netflix has disagreed with some of their choices. It's unclear if casting itself was in dispute, but it is notable that for a show that was due to start shooting in the spring (before a pandemic delayed things) and which had already had sets and costumes created and some test-filming done, no final casting had been announced as of the start of this year.

DiMartino, in his statement, notes that Netflix promised to honour his and Konietzko's vision, but more recently had apparently rolled back on this statement. He notes that he and Konietzko were no longer in "creative control" of the project, suggesting that higher-ups at Netflix had enforced decisions on them that they were not willing to accept. DiMartino notes that the project is continuing and may end up being enjoyable, but it is not the project he or Konietzko "envisioned or intended to make." He notes that he and Konietzko had also resigned in June.

Intriguingly, DiMartino noted that they were "not done" with the Avatar universe and the recent surge in popularity of both Avatar: The Last Airebender and its sequel series, The Legend of Korra, had re-inspired them, hinting at the possibility of a third animated series in this universe.

Netflix have, so far, not offered any response.

AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER returns to Netflix

Avatar: The Last Airbender - probably the greatest fantasy TV show of all time - has returned to Netflix.

Nickelodeon's animated series ran for three seasons and 61 episodes from 2005 to 2008. The show tells the story of a world where magic is divided between the four elements, with one spiritual paragon, the "Avatar," born into each generation who can master all four. After being frozen in an iceberg for a hundred years, Avatar Aang returns to find a world out of balance, with the ruthless Fire Nation engaged in a war of conquest against the other nations. Aang sets out to defeat the Fire Lord and restore balance to the world.

The series has been highly praised for its characterisation, worldbuilding and storytelling, as well as its intricate magic system and set-piece magical confrontations.

Avatar also spun off a sequel series, The Legend of Korra which ran for four shorter seasons and 52 episodes from 2012 to 2014.

Avatar: The Last Airbender left Netflix a few years ago in favour of a run on Amazon Prime Video, but Netflix has reacquired the rights as part of its deal with Nickelodeon which also includes a live-action remake of the series. This was in pre-production with filming due to start imminently when the coronavirus pandemic broke out.

The Legend of Korra, for the time being, is not included in the deal and remains on Amazon Prime Video in most territories.

The Legend of Korra - Book III: Change

The Harmonic Convergence has resulted in unforeseen consequences, including the return of airbending to the world. Korra, after a public falling-out with the President of the United Republic due to her decision to allow spirits to enter the physical world, teams up with Tenzin to recruit the new airbenders to help restart the Air Nomad Nation. Unbeknown to Korra, a criminal named Zaheer has gained the power of airbending and seeks to reunite his old gang of elite benders, the Red Lotus, to renew their quest to find and eliminate the Avatar...permanently.

The second season of The Legend of Korra was a major disappointment, the first letdown provided by the five seasons (at that point) of the combined Avatar: The Last Airbender/Legend of Korra franchise. The third season of Korra has a lot riding on it: is the rot permanent or could the show recover?

Fortunately, the latter is the case. The third season of The Legend of Korra drops a lot of the more spiritual and nebulous elements of the previous show in favour of a much firmer story. A charismatic enemy, voiced by Henry Rollins, assembles a notable "anti-Team Avatar" to take down Korra. The spine of the season is Korra taking the fight to Zaheer and working out what his motivations are. These motivations are complex and less concerned with power than freedom, verging on anarchy. The bad guys are thus presented as having somewhat understandable motivations, but are over-zealous in their application. These ideas are sophisticated for a kids' show but presented well. It's particularly interesting to see the scale of the struggle and the price of victory.

There's also a lot of excellent subplots, such as the recruitment of the new airbending recruits and Tenzin's difficulties in establishing himself as a leader, and the introduction of Lin's family and the city of Zaofu. We learn more about metalbending and the new art of lavabending as well.

The Legend of Korra's third season (****½) is the show getting its mojo back and becoming compelling viewing, the finest season of the show overall. The season is available now as part of the complete series box set (UK, USA) and on Amazon Prime worldwide.