Netflix has announced the development of a live-action version of Avatar: The Last Airbender. This has given a major shock to some fans who believe that the Netflix version will continue to make the same mistakes that M. Night Shyamalan made with his 2010 movie adaptation of the series.
One of the biggest mistakes in Shyamalan’s adaptation was the film’s casting. This has the fans worried who feel that Netflix will make the same casting mistakes. However, original Avatar creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael DiMartino will be involved in this project, assuring fans of the casting choices.
Here’s the official statement released by the creators in the press:
“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.”
The Last Airbender was one of the most culturally diverse animated series of all time and 2010’s adaptation of the series completely missed out on that point.
It’s good to hear that the creators are planning to return the series to its roots by gathering a diverse cast to represent the nations of The Earth Kingdom, Air Nomads, Fire Nation, and Water Tribes. The character of Aang will hopefully be played by someone closer in ethnicity to the Eastern-cultural influences, as seen in the original animated series. Noah Riner reprised the role in 2010’s adaptation and was criticised by many fans for his portrayal.
The Last Airbender premiered on Nickelodeon in 2005 and went on till 2008. The series won many awards including an Emmy Award, a Peabody Award, and a Genesis award.
