Netflix Developing Live-Action Avatar: The Last Airbender Series

Netflix is seeking to erase the bad taste of M. Night Shyamalan still lingering for Avatar: The Last Airbender fans, as they are developing a live-action series. Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, who created the fan-favorite animated series for Nickelodeon, announced on Tuesday that they were on board to oversee the series.

The duo’s joint statement read, “We’re thrilled for the opportunity to helm this live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender. 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.”

The animated fantasy series previously saw a live-action film directed by Shyamalan, which was criticially derided by fans and critics alike. The movie flopped financially as well, despite ringing up a solid number overseas, thanks to its extravagant budget.

The original series ran from February 2005 through July 2008 and won an Emmy Award and a Peabody as it followed Aang, the last known Airbender in a world of people who have the ability to manipulate the elements. A popular and equally-acclaimed spin-off series, The Legend of Korra, aired from 2012 to 2014.