Appa, Yip yip! Get ready to practice your elemental bending and hide your cabbages because three new Avatar: The Last Airbender animated films are currently in the works. Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation announced these new projects during a special presentation at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Avatar veteran Lauren Montgomery is attached to direct the first film. Hopefully, this is a sign of great things to come. Avatar co-creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael DiMartino will produce the first film in the series, along with longtime producing partner Eric Coleman. Avatar Studios will produce with Coleman executive producing. Coleman was the executive producer and production manager of The Last Airbender series.
Avatar: The Last Airbender ran from 2005 to 2008 and was set in a world populated by “benders,” who could command and weaponize the elements (earth, fire, water, and wind) at will. Avatar: The Last Airbender is considered by many (including myself) to be one of the most outstanding animated series ever made. A sequel series titled The Legend of Korra aired from 2012 to 2014 on Nickelodeon. The series follows Avatar Korra, the successor, and reincarnation of Aang from the previous series, as she faces political and spiritual unrest in a modernizing world.
“As original creators, Mike and Bryan expand the Avatar universe with us, we’re keeping it all in the family with Lauren bringing the same kind of expert, beautiful work she did on the original series to her new directing duties on the forthcoming theatrical,” said Ramsey Naito, President of Animation & Development at Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation.
Avatar Studios was established last year to create original series and movies set in the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra. With so many stories from the Avatar universe left to tell, fans will see new projects announced across multiple platforms for years to come.
Netflix is also developing a live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender. However, Konietzko and DiMartino exited the project due to creative differences. Their departure has left something of a stain on the project. Especially after fans felt burned by The Last Airbender (2010) film directed by M. Night Shyamalan.
My body is ready! Let’s do this! Avatar: The Last Airbender is one of my favorite animated series ever, and I’m thrilled to hear it’s coming back with some new films! It’s comforting to hear that many of the original team members are returning, too. I think this will be amazing, and I can’t wait to check it out. How about you? Are you excited for Avatar: The Last Airbender to make its proper return? Let us know in the comments section below.