‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Creators Leave Netflix’s Live-Action Adaptation
Avatar: The Last Airbender creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino announced that they both are no longer involved in the Netflix live-action adaptation of the show. Many fans were shocked and saddened by this news, as many of them were hopeful that the Netflix live-action adaptation of the show might be as great as the original animated series released back in 2005. Previously, fans and critics alike universally panned The Last Airbender, a live-action film released in 2010 that was based on the original series. Many fans heavily criticized the plot, visual effects, and whitewashed casting choices. Supposedly, the film was initially meant to be the first of a trilogy, but subsequent poor reviews were convincing enough to have the sequels canceled for good.
But most recently, Netflix announced back in 2018 that they were producing a reimagined live-action remake of Avatar. Initially, Konietzko and DiMartino were part of the project, leaving fans optimistic that the future remake would do the original series justice. Unfortunately, the co-creators recently announced that they’ve made the difficult decision to leave the production of the Netflix adaptation of Avatar.
‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Creators Exit Netflix Live-Action Adaptation https://t.co/kp1HvCYUeD
— Variety (@Variety) August 12, 2020
According to Variety, DiMartino and Konietzko expressed that when they both first signed to work with Netflix, the streaming service was committed to working with them to preserve their original vision and intentions for the show. Later on, they both confessed that things didn’t work out and creative differences got in the way. On his personal website, DiMartino wrote, “Look, things happen. Productions are challenging. “Unforeseen events arise. Plans have to change. And when those things have happened at other points during my career, I try to be like an Air Nomad and adapt. I do my best to go with the flow, no matter what obstacle is put in my way. But even an Air Nomad knows when it’s time to cut their losses and move on.” Konietzko expressed the same feeling and wrote on his personal Instagram that it was the correct decision to part ways with Netflix, as it was a negative work environment.
Although this is a huge disappointment, both Konietzko and DiMartino comforted the fans and assured them that they’re still very much involved in the Avatar universe.
