Get reintroduced to Team Avatar this upcoming 2024.
It hasn’t been a hundred years since Avatar Aang was last on our screens but Netflix is already retelling the legendary tale of ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ in live-action. Set to air in 2024, the upcoming production is reportedly one of Netflix’s most expensive shows, costing $15 million per episode for an expected total of eight, one-hour-long episodes.
Many who grew up with the Avatar comics and the animated series are thrilled to have the story retold. However, a handful took to online platforms to express their concerns, especially since the previous live-action attempt, ‘The Last Airbender” did not meet the expectations long-time fans had.
One of the main reasons for the failure of the 2010 live-action was the inaccurate portrayals of the characters on the big screen. The film was dubbed “too serious,” unlike the lighthearted tone of the original material.
How The New Avatar Strives for Authenticity Through Casting
The upcoming 2024 adaptation aims to learn from the mistakes of its predecessor, starting with accurate casting. The show will star Gordon Cormier as the iconic and easygoing Avatar Aang, Kiawentiio as Katara, the last waterbender from the Northern Water Tribe, Ian Ousley as her comedic yet brave brother, Sokka, and Dallas Liu as the banished prince of the Fire Nation, Zuko. Part of the cast are veteran actors Daniel Dae Kim as Fire Lord Ozai and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as Uncle Iroh.
Now gearing towards greater authenticity, the story design of Avatar is heavily influenced by Asian and Inuit culture, as the creators of the live-action series ensure the characters are accurately represented through their actors. For instance, the actress of Katara, Kiawentiio, is part of the Mohawk Tribe of Akwesasne from Ontario, Canada.
Gordan Cormier and Dallas Liu Talks About Which Element is the Best
From interviews and other behind-the-scenes looks we have seen, the chemistry between Team Avatar is natural, with their personalities off-camera in line with the characters they are playing.
Fans also had heated opinions on the choreography and overall production value of the earlier adaptation. While the choreographer for the new live-action has not been revealed, we do know that the series built the biggest custom-built LED stage acknowledged by the Guinness World Records, setting themselves up for high expectations from the audience.
At the Netflix TUDUM 2023 event held in Brazil, it was revealed that the first season will cover the same adventures as its animated counterpart. We also got a first look at the show and it confirmed that it will be coming in 2024 on their streaming platform.
More Avatar Content Coming Our Way
The original creators Micheal DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko will not be part of the upcoming live-action due to creative differences with Netflix. However, the duo launched Avatar Studios where they will be working on new animated projects within the Avatar universe at Paramount+. Their studio is currently working on an Earth Avatar series, an Adult Aang Gang movie, and a Zuko movie.
Whether it be under Avatar Studios or Netflix, fans are thrilled for more Avatar-related content. Especially as the sequel, The Legend of Korra wrapped up just as they introduced non-heteronormative characters that could have gone to become massive inspirations for the younger members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
All eyes are on the upcoming live-action Netflix series, as fans wait in trepidation with the hope that the adaptation resonates in the same way as the original show did while introducing the younger crowd to the legendary tales of ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender.’