10 Essential Elements for Netflix's Live-Action Avatar: The Last Airbender to Succeed

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To ensure the live-action remake of Avatar: The Last Airbender by Netflix is successful, it is crucial to preserve the essence of the original animated series. This entails capturing the beloved humor and lighter moments that contributed to the show's charm and maintaining a well-rounded tonal balance.

The faithful portrayal of Zuko's redemption arc, which stands as one of the most outstanding character developments in the series, should spotlight his intricate backstory and internal battle.

Ensuring the precise representation of bending, encompassing martial arts forms and strict adherence to the bending rules, will heighten the visual spectacle and captivate audiences with more compelling action.

Netflix's live-action remake of Avatar: The Last Airbender must meet certain requirements to live up to the beloved animated series. Previous adaptations of Avatar have not fared well, so it is crucial for the remake to faithfully capture the essence of the original. As a series, there is more opportunity to explore the intricate plot points of the source material, which can help develop the characters, storylines, and subplots.

Fortunately, Netflix has made commendable casting choices for Aang, Katara, Sokka, Zuko, and others, avoiding the controversy of whitewashing that surrounded the film adaptation. With the release date set for next year, fans of the original animated show are undoubtedly eager to see how their favorite moments and characters will be portrayed. To do justice to the serialized adaptation, Netflix should learn from the mistakes of previous adaptations and closely adhere to what made the original show so popular. This includes maintaining the appropriate tone, focusing on character development, and delivering thrilling action sequences.

10. Netflix Must Nail Avatar: The Last Airbender's Light Tone

Sokka and Aang’s lighter moments add to the animated show’s appeal

One major critique of the live-action adaptation of Avatar is its lack of humor. Despite the high-stakes and heavy responsibilities depicted in the show, the presence of young protagonist offers opportunities for playful antics that didn't translate well in M. Night Shyamalan's film. The original series aired on Nickelodeon, which aligns with its lighter moments as the network primarily caters to a younger audience.

9. Avatar: The Last Airbender’s Remake Must Stick To Zuko's Redemption Arc

Humor plays a crucial role in the show, contributing to its overall balance and appeal to both adults and younger audiences. One example of this is Sokka's ability to provide comic relief with his unpredictable and energetic nature. In "The Southern Raiders," Sokka's hilarious moment of posing with a rose between his teeth brings a lighthearted contrast to the episode's darker storyline, where Katara and Zuko embark on a mission for revenge on the latter's mother.

Zuko’s character development is one of the best in the series

Among the characters in Avatar, none undergoes as much character development as Zuko. What makes his journey so compelling is the fact that he initially serves as a direct antagonist to Aang and the rest of Team Avatar. Furthermore, Zuko's troubled past adds to the poignancy of his Avatar story, rendering his redemption all the more impactful and making him a highly sympathetic character. With the burden of his mother's disappearance, his father Ozai's history of physical abuse and willingness to sacrifice him, and his strained relationship with his sister Azula, Zuko is far from being a one-dimensional villain.

Zuko's exploration of the conflict between acceptance from his family and his principles ultimately provides him with a profound understanding of honor. Through recognizing his own beliefs and how they differ from those of his father Ozai, Zuko is able to reconcile with his uncle Iroh, finally recognizing the purity and sufficiency of his love. Crucial moments to enhance this character development can be found in episodes such as "The Storm" and "Zuko Alone," where the audience is provided with a glimpse of Zuko's tragic past. Omitting these pivotal points in his journey towards inner peace and morality would undermine the impact of Zuko's character, potentially rendering him one-dimensional.

8. Bending In Avatar: The Last Airbender’s Remake Needs To Be Depicted Accurately

Staying true to the bending rules will add to the visuals

One major criticism of the Avatar film adaptation revolves around the inaccurate representation of bending. A prime example of this is a particular scene in the movie, where a group of earthbenders execute a synchronized display of bending, but manage to move only a small boulder. Furthermore, the firebenders are portrayed as requiring a source of fire nearby to be able to bend, with the exception of Iroh, who can bend without any fire present. As per the animated show, firebenders have the ability to bend even without a visible source of fire, and earthbenders are depicted as significantly more formidable in their bending prowess.

Netflix's Avatar remake needs to take into account the various martial arts styles that are utilized in each bending form as well. For example, waterbending draws inspiration from Tai Chi, emphasizing control and smoothness (according to Men's Health). As bending serves as the foundation for action in the Avatar universe, accurately capturing the intricate details and distinguishing characteristics of each style will heighten viewers' immersion and create visually captivating scenes.

7. Perfecting Pronunciations Can Appeal To Existing Fans Of Avatar: The Last Airbender

Character names should be pronounced according to the source material

A crucial detail that must be ensured is the correct pronunciation of character names. The live-action movie, unfortunately, mispronounced names such as Sokka (Soaka), Iroh (Eroh), and Aang (Ong). This inconsistency extends to other pronunciations as well, like "Avatar" versus "Uh-vatar." To satisfy fans of the animated series and remain faithful to the source material, the Netflix remake must guarantee consistency in the usage of Avatar words and names. Neglecting such details can disrupt the audience's immersion and potentially harm the show's popularity and worldbuilding efforts.

6. Key Story Beats In Avatar: The Last Airbender’s Remake Need To Be Included

For more emotional impact, the script should include core moments

Like Zuko's redemption arc, the emotional impact and narrative complexity of the animated show rely on key moments throughout the three books. Princess Yue's romance with Sokka and her sacrifice to save the Northern Water Tribe, for example, are crucial to Book One's climax. In Netflix's remake, it is important to fully explore their love story so that their final moment, when Yue's spirit promises to always be with Sokka before they share a kiss, can have the same impact as in the original. This is because Yue's fate in Avatar: The Last Airbender was established from the very beginning.

Additionally, Aang's inner conflict about being the Avatar and his fear of responsibility, as well as Zuko's relationship with Iroh, gradually unfold throughout the series and require ample screen time for the audience to truly care about them. Without the weight of these characters' decisions and development being supported by well-crafted moments, the remake risks losing the captivating character interactions that made the original so special. By pacing the story in a way that avoids dumping exposition on the audience, the show can better focus on the characters' inciting incidents and present them in a more engaging manner.

5. The Opening Voiceover Needs To Be Retained

Katara’s voiceover is a staple part of the original series

In the animated series, Katara provides the narration for scenes featuring bending and Team Avatar. While the movie retains the opening sequence that showcases the use of each element, it does not include the voiceover. In fact, the bending scenes lack any form of narration, and Katara's dialogue is modified to incorporate references to concepts like the Spirit World. Although the information presented is accurate, it divulges more important details than it establishes in terms of the lore. It is worth noting that the series only introduces the Spirit World in Episode 7 of Book One.

More specifically, considering the overwhelmingly negative reaction from fans towards the movie, it would be advisable for Netflix to avoid making the same mistake by altering such a crucial element of the source material. The voiceover by Katara serves as the crucial opening for every episode in the animated series. While minor adjustments can be made, making any substantial changes could potentially diminish the show's appeal. Furthermore, since Netflix's adaptation is a series, there is an opportunity to use it as an opening sequence akin to the animated show, rather than a one-time introduction, providing the chance for striking visuals to complement Katara's words.

4. Tying In The Graphic Novels Could Enhance The Show

Some additional lore can add to the story’s world

Even though the graphic novels of Avatar: The Last Airbender pick up right where the series ends, there's an opportunity to enhance certain storylines or characters with the information revealed in these stories. For example, Toph, who only joins the team in Book Two, has a fascinating backstory in the graphic novels that delves into her metalbending skills and her complex relationship with her overbearing family. Similarly, for Zuko's redemption arc, additional details from the graphic novels, specifically the trilogies The Promise and The Search, which explore his search for his missing mother Ursa, could be beneficial.

3. Fine-Tune Creature Designs For The Avatar: The Last Airbender Remake

Replicating the essence of each creature with CGI can enhance the show

The hybridized animals in the original Avatar are one of the most enjoyable and creative elements of the show. Appa, Aang's loyal sky-bison, and Momo, the mischievous winged lemur, each contribute their own unique essence to the story. Appa's constant state of exhaustion provides a perfect contrast to Aang's boundless energy. Meanwhile, Momo's irresistible large eyes make it easier for him to get away with his playful mischief, such as stealing a moon peach from Sokka. The key to capturing the essence of these beloved creatures in the remake lies in their design and CGI. Unfortunately, the live-action movie portrays them with harsher coloring and features, which gives them a more intimidating rather than adorable appearance. This deviation from their animated counterparts aligns them more closely with monsters rather than the endearing companions they are meant to be.

2. Ensure Villain Arcs Are Complex Like In The Last Airbender

Admiral Zhao and Fire Lord Ozai follow specific paths that make them so compelling as villains

In the animated show, Fire Lord Ozai's reveal is drawn out, often keeping him hidden in shadow or silhouette, despite his presence since Book One. However, the remake can use visual cues to portray him as the apathetic villain he truly is. Furthermore, by delving into his treatment of Zuko and the way he governs his kingdom, we can establish his role as a formidable antagonist through flashback sequences or cinematic scenes. On the other hand, Admiral Zhao embodies traits of power-hunger and short-temper, leading to his ultimate downfall. Ozai's quest for power and control is evident in his ruthless act of killing his own father to secure his birthright as the leader of the Fire Nation. Additionally, he would not hesitate to eliminate his subordinates if it meant gaining more power. Nevertheless, he also believes that safeguarding his own people is an integral part of being the Fire Lord. By exploring their motivations and histories, we can effectively illustrate the multi-dimensional nature of these characters.

1. Netflix Should Keep Aang’s Childlike Demeanor In The Avatar: The Last Airbender Remake

Aang’s journey growing up is critical to his journey to mastering his abilities

While Aang is portrayed as a child in the events of Avatar, he faces significant responsibilities due to the looming threat of the Fire Nation and the pressure to master all four elements. The animated show hints at Aang's mysterious past, which Netflix has the opportunity to delve deeper into. This exploration could involve depicting Aang's childhood and his life as an air nomad before he was encased in the iceberg. By capturing the essence of the characters, the core story beats, and maintaining the tone of the original material, Netflix has the potential to create a captivating remake of Avatar: The Last Airbender that pays tribute to its source of inspiration.

Source: Men's Health

Editor's P/S

As a fan of the original Avatar: The Last Airbender animated series, I am cautiously optimistic about Netflix's live-action remake. On the one hand, I am excited to see my beloved characters brought to life in a new way. On the other hand, I am worried that the remake will not be able to capture the magic of the original.

I believe that the key to a successful live-action adaptation of Avatar is to stay true to the source material. This means capturing the spirit of the original characters, stories, and themes. It also means avoiding the mistakes of the previous live-action adaptation, which was criticized for its whitewashing and its departure from the original storyline.

One of the things that I love most about Avatar is its humor. The show is full of funny moments that help to balance out the more serious themes. I am glad to see that Netflix seems to understand the importance of humor and has cast several comedic actors in the remake.

Another thing that I love about Avatar is its character development. The show does an excellent job of developing its characters, both the main characters and the supporting characters. I am confident that Netflix will be able to do justice to the characters and their development.

Overall, I am cautiously optimistic about Netflix's live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender. I believe that the show has the potential to be a great success, but it is important for Netflix to stay true to the source material and to avoid the mistakes of the previous adaptation.