‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ on Netflix: Everything We Know About the Live-Action Adaptation

Have you heard the news? Netflix is moving forward with a live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender from the show’s original creators. It must be 2010 again because there’s hope again for our nerdy dreams to become a reality.

Created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, Avatar originally ran on Nickelodeon for three seasons. The anime-inspired action-adventure series won multiple awards during its relatively short run, including Annie Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award. However, it’s Avatar‘s legacy that stands as its most impressive accomplishment. The series quickly gained a devoted cult following and even led to an equally beloved spinoff series, The Legend of Korra.

We still done’t know much about Netflix’s adaptation of this endlessly endearing property, but we know enough to get excited. Here’s your guide to what we know about the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender.

What’s Avatar: The Last Airbender about?

The Nickelodeon original is set in a world that is divided into four nations named after the four elements: the Water Tribes, the Earth Kingdom, the Fire Nation, and the Air Nomads. In each of these nations there exist “benders,” people who can telekinetically control their nation’s elements using martial arts.

Starting in the midst of a brutal world war begun by the Fire Nation, the series follows Aang, the last airbender and the prophesied Avatar. The Avatar, a bender who has the ability to control all four elements, is the only chance this world has at restoring peace. After teaming up with two members of the Southern Water Tribe, a waterbender named Katara and her brother Sokka, these three kids go on a journey to save their world before it’s too late.

Wasn’t there already a live-action version of Avatar?

Yes. Not to be confused with the James Cameron film about blue aliens, there was another live-action installment directed by M. Night Shyamalan. The Last Airbender was released in 2010 and is considered to be one of the worst movies ever made. Seriously, don’t watch it. We’re just going to move on from this part of history if that’s cool.

Who’s involved in Netflix’s version of Avatar: The Last Airbender?

The original creators of the Nick show, DiMartino and Konietzko, will be serving as showrunners and executive producers for the live-action version.

“We’re thrilled for the opportunity to helm this live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender,” they said in a press release for the show. “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.”

You read that correctly. Not only is that a delightfully pointed jab at the adaptation-that-will-no-longer-be-named, but DiMartino and Konietzko have gone on the record saying that this new version will not be whitewashed. The original Avatar featured a widely diverse cast of animated characters, and that diversity helped shape this show’s intricate world. Vowing to correct the sins of adaptations past is already a refreshing step in the right direction.

Avatar‘s original composer, Jeremy Zuckerman, has also announced that he will be working on the adaptation. Get ready for some inspiring musical swells.

How can I watch Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra?

At the moment, we don’t know anything about the live-action version’s production schedule or release date. But we always have the originals to have and to hold and to obsessively re-watch. Here’s how you can stream both Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra.

Where to stream Avatar: The Last Airbender

Where to stream The Legend of Korra