Netflix's Avatar live-action series: Showrunner's intimidation sans creators
Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender showrunner admits feeling daunted by the challenge of helming the live-action series after the departure of its original creators
The showrunner of Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender recently admitted feeling "intimidated" to take on the project following the departure of the original creators. The animated series is cherished by fans, who have been particularly defensive of it since the disappointing 2010 movie adaptation.
Fans may have been apprehensive, but Netflix announced plans to adapt the cartoon into a new live-action series, set to be released in February 2024. The casting choices and footage in trailers suggest that the TV show will be more faithful to the original adaptation than the original movie.
Despite this, some fans remain concerned about the show's future following the departure of original creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino from Netflix due to creative differences. Showrunner Albert Kim confessed in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly that he felt extremely "intimidated" to take on the role after the departure of Konietzko and DiMartino.
Kim started by saying, "It would be foolish not to feel a bit intimidated." She continued, "My initial response to being offered the job was 'hell yeah' but also 'holy s**t. Do I really want to do this?'
"There should be a way to enhance the original, right? When you take on something that is already loved by millions of fans, you have to consider these questions."
Kim disclosed that the Netflix adaptation incorporated a significant amount of the feedback and ideas shared by the original creators before their departure. Despite their limited involvement, their input contributed to a deeper understanding of the central characters' backstories and paid tribute to the original animated series.
"Kim mentioned a wide range of nerdy details that diehard fans might wonder about, from questions about Katara’s mom and Aang’s parentage to bigger picture dilemmas about how to capture the original show’s special charm in a live-action adaptation. However, the showrunner emphasized that while this is still Avatar: The Last Airbender, it will also be our own unique interpretation of the series."
Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender is set to drop on the platform on February 22, 2024.
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Editor's P/S
As a passionate fan of Avatar: The Last Airbender, I was thrilled to hear about Netflix's plans for a live-action series. However, my excitement was tempered by the departure of the original creators, Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino, due to creative differences. Their involvement was crucial to maintaining the integrity and authenticity of the series, and their absence raised concerns about the direction the live-action adaptation would take.
Showrunner Albert Kim's admission of feeling intimidated by the challenge of helming the project without the original creators' guidance is understandable. The animated series holds a special place in the hearts of fans, and any deviation from its beloved characters, storylines, or themes could potentially disappoint the loyal fanbase. While Kim's commitment to incorporating feedback and ideas shared by Konietzko and DiMartino is reassuring, it remains to be seen how effectively the live-action series will capture the essence and charm of the original.
