Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender Faces the Same Dilemma That Became the Biggest Criticism of Stranger Things
It’s been almost two decades since the original Avatar: The Last Airbender became one of the fan-favorite animated series. Voiced by the industry’s talented actors, it continues to engage many viewers.
Following the success of the original series, a live-action has been released on Netflix and seems to be following the same path, which led Stranger Things to face criticism. Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender was released on the streamer on February 22 and is generating mixed reviews from fans.
While many believe that the reimagined live-action isn’t compelling enough, others are eagerly anticipating season 2. However, the creators haven’t officially greenlit the renewal, and this delay, along with the actors aging up, will likely generate negative responses.
Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender Encounters Major Challenge Similar To Stranger Things
Co-created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, the original animated series, took no time to earn critical acclaim and became one of the most engaging series of that time. Following the success, the first season of Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender has finally hit the streamer and generated quick reviews from fans and viewers. The filming of this live-action began in 2021 and took almost three years to come out.
Following the release of season 1, fans are now anticipating the renewal of the series for the next chapter. However, neither Netflix nor the showrunner Albert Kim officially confirmed the next season, and since the actors are naturally aging up, this emerges as a major consequence.
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A similar challenge was faced in Stranger Things. Despite being one of the most viewed shows on Netflix, it faced criticism for delaying the renewal. It’s natural for child actors to grow at a fast speed, but at the same time, the makers must balance authenticity. In Stranger Things, aging was noticeable for much of the younger cast, affecting the believability of the characters.
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Notably, the leading cast in Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender are the child actors. The series features Gordon Cormier as Avatar Aang, the titular and last Airbender, when filming started, the actor was 12, the same as Aang. Another key figure is Kiawentiio‘s Katara, the sole Waterbender left in the Southern Water Tribe. In the original series, Katara is a 14-year-old girl, and the actress was 15 while filming the live-action three years ago. Similar is the case with other prominent characters of the series, and if the renewal continues to be delayed, then the next season will also face the backlash that Stranger Things received.
Avatar: The Last Airbender Live-Action Remains in Global Top 10 List on Netflix
The reimagined live-action has secured the first spot on the global top 10 shows on Netflix. Considering the viewership and fans’ anticipation, the makers shouldn’t delay the renewal much. However, the streamer typically waits a few weeks to assess viewership and response from fans to announce the next season.
The hardcore fans of the original animated series found it tough to say that the live-action met all their hopes, but since the series is generating mixed reviews, there’s hope for another season.
The cast of Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender also received a special message from Stanger Things leading star Millie Bobby Brown, congratulating the actors for the live-action. The actress also compared her 12-year-old Eleven with Gordon Cormier’s Aang, who can also move things without touching them and shaved heads in their shows.
Watch Avatar: The Last Airbender live-action on Netflix.
