Netflix announced in September 2018 that a live-action television series of Avatar: The Last Airbender is happening. At the time, it was confirmed that that the original creators, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, will serve as both showrunners and executive producers.
DiMartino and Konietzko intended to adapt Avatar: The Last Airbender with a "culturally appropriate, non-whitewashed cast." However, the two revealed on their respective social media accounts that they won't be involved in the remake anymore, citing "creative differences."
Shortly after their departure, it was announced that DiMartino and Konietzko will helm new animated projects at Paramount+ under the new studio called Avatar Studios. Since then, Netflix, reportedly, received more criticisms, with some questioning their visions for the live-action.
As for who else is involved, the composer of the original show, Jeremy Zuckerman, is returning to do the music for the live-action. Jang Chol Lee will be the concept designer, with previous credits include Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Tangled, and Big Hero 6.
Dan Lin will be the executive producer and his company, Rideback Production, helms the project. Ryan Halprin and Lindsey Liberatore are listed as executive producers, as well. Albert Kim, on the other hand, takes over the showrunner duties.
Meanwhile, the cast of Avatar: The Last Airbender remains unknown as of this writing. Reportedly, the live-action is looking for a "mostly Asian cast member and a 12 to 14-year-old to play Aang." More details about the casting might be revealed in the coming months.
In terms of filming, the project was originally set to begin production in 2019 but it was said that pre-production in July 2020. In February 2021, a report from Production Weekly noted that the series will start production on August 16, 2021, in Vancouver, Canada.
The plot of Avatar: The Last Airbender may follow the story of its animated counterpart. The story is set in a civilization where it is divided into four nations: Water Tribes, Fire Nations, Earth Kingdom, and Air Nomads. Each of them has selected people known as "Benders" who can use their nation's elements.
Aang, who's been sleeping for 100 years in the "Avatar State," comes from the Air Nomads. He's awoken by the Water Tribe's members, Katara and Sokka. When he learned that the Fire Nation is causing war, he set on a journey to bring harmony amongst the nations.
No release date has been set for Avatar: The Last Airbender, but it is expected to be released in 2022.
