“We laid off all the writers”: Avatar: The Last Airbender Got Dangerously Close to Getting Canceled After Season 2 Before a Campaign Brought it Back
It might be hard to believe but when Nickelodeon first premiered Avatar: The Last Airbender, it was not an instant success. Due to the unique storyline and interesting mythology behind the characters, not many people were hooked on the show from the get-go. It took some time for the animated series to find its niche audience and eventually consolidate a fanbase. Now, the show is eventually finding a new set of fans who love the live-action adaptation by Netflix, familiarizing with the powerful world of Aang and the elements.
Nickelodeon Hesitated to Renew Avatar: The Last Airbender After Season 2
Avatar: The Last Airbender opened to great reviews after season 1. It took some time for people to get the hang of the world of elements and the power of bending them. However, everyone soon caught on and wanted more of the riveting series. When season 2 dropped, so did the show’s rating to a certain extent. Book 2: Earth was the title of the second season which witnessed Aang trying to master earthbending and meeting vibrant characters along the way.
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Season 2 of Avatar: The Last Airbender was exciting in its own right. Aang trains a village to fight against the Fire Nation. He also learns the key to possibly defeating Lord Ozai. A lot of things happen in the season that meaningfully weave the intricate story further. But apparently, Nickelodeon was not convinced of the show’s plans and future success. Head writer Aaron Ehasz who previously shared that they had plans for a fourth season, said in an interview with Slash Film,
“They did not pick it up after season 2. The ratings were not strong enough! We laid off all the writers after season 2. Everybody was sent home for three or four months. Avatar’ was essentially default canceled between season 2 and season 3. People do not know that. So there was always love, but there was not always obvious success and ratings for ‘Avatar.'”
Because of the hiatus, the writers and the designers took some time to come back to work and understand the script. Nevertheless, the 21-episode season was completed on time, to be released nine months after the season 2 finale. Reportedly, Eric Coleman, a Nickelodeon exec campaigned to continue the show for more seasons and ultimately convinced the channel to greenlight another season.
Also Read: Avatar: The Last Airbender Potential Season 4 Plot Details Revealed by Head Writer
Is Netflix Avatar: The Last Airbender Getting Season 2?
Good news for all fans of the live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender on Netflix as the show has been renewed for seasons 2 and 3 collectively! Netflix announced on its Instagram that Aang and his friends are ready to gear up for battle and be back on screen for more seasons. For now, it feels like the live-action series is following in the footsteps of the animated show and structuring the story according to its predecessor.
Ehasz revealed after the animated show ended, that they had plans for a season 4. Netflix has made no official announcement on whether the show will end at season 3 or will have more seasons to continue the legacy of the show. Nevertheless, fans are enthused to see Aang and Lord Ozai face off in the upcoming seasons of the Netflix adaptation.
