Netflix Preps Live-Action Reboot of Avatar: The Last Airbender

Netflix has revealed its plans to produce a reimagined live-action series based on the hit Nickelodeon animated show Avatar: The Last Airbender.

The upcoming live-action series comes from original creators Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, who will serve as showrunners and executive producers. The new show, in partnership with Nickelodeon, will be exclusively available on Netflix. It is slated to kick off production next year.

Avatar: The Last Airbender, which follows the adventures of a group of heroic friends, was broadcast on Nickelodeon from 2005 to 2008.

Konietzko and DiMartino commented: “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.”

“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,” noted Melissa Cobb, the VP of kids and family content at Netflix.

Chris Viscardi, the senior VP of animation production and development at Nickelodeon, added: “Avatar: The Last Airbender continues to grow and resonate with fans around the world due to its combination of relatable characters with all their foibles and a fully realized world of epic, high-stakes stories and adventures. This partnership with Netflix is part of our broader efforts at Nick and Viacom to tap into our enormous library of culturally resonant properties to produce new interpretations, and we can’t wait for people to see Netflix’s live-action version of Avatar.”