Avatar: The Last Airbender’s live-action adaptation series is currently filming in Vancouver, Canada for Netflix. This is our comprehensive look at everything we know so far about the live-action Netflix series based on Avatar: The Last Airbender, including cast, production updates, what to expect, and more.
The animated series, co-created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, was one of the most popular cartoons of the mid-2000s. In 2012, the series spawned The Legend of Korra, an equally popular spin-off series (both of which are streaming on Netflix in the majority of regions around the world but are expected to leave eventually).
It was expected that there would be ten hour-long episodes, but it has been reported that there will only be eight. During filming, the series employs ground-breaking new LED technology.
It’s one of Netflix’s most expensive shows, with each episode reportedly costing $15 million, totaling $120 million for season 1. Filming is set to continue until June 2022.
The Nickelodeon series’ original creators are not involved in the production. As of April 2022, 13 cast members have been confirmed.
The live-action remake’s plot will follow the same events as the animated version.
Civilization in the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender is divided into four distinct nations. The Air Nomads, Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation, and Water Tribes are the four nations named after the elements. Only a few people known as “Benders” in each nation can use their nation’s element by combining regional martial arts and telekinetic abilities. The “Avatar” is the only user who can use all four elements.
Aang is the most recent air nomad Avatar. Aang is awoken by Katara and Sokka of the Water Tribe after sleeping for 100 years in the ‘Avatar State.’ After learning of the world’s destruction by the Fire Nation, Aang must master the abilities of the remaining elements with the help of his new friends in order to bring peace to the nations.
So far, there have been three major waves of cast announcements, with plenty more to come.
As previously stated, we’ll go over the cast in greater detail in the link above, but here’s a quick rundown of who’s been confirmed and who’s been rumored so far:
Here are the actors who will play the iconic roles:
Gordon Cormier (Lost in Space) as Aang
Kiawentiio Tarbell (Anne with an E) as Katara
Ian Ousley (13 Reasons Why) as Sokka
Dallas Liu (PEN15) as Zuko
Despite rumors up until the official cast announcement, Dante Basco (who voiced Prince Zuko in the animated series) had been cast in the upcoming Netflix series but later confirmed he would not be reprising his role as Prince Zuko.
Netflix has also confirmed the casting of three key roles, with Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Lim Kay Siu, and Ken Leung playing Uncle Iroh, Gyatso, and Commander Zhao, respectively.
The fact that the original creators of the Nickelodeon series would be involved was the most exciting news early in the project.
This is in contrast to the previous live adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender, which was largely panned when it was released by Nickelodeon in 2010.
Regrettably, the original creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, who were to serve as executive producers and showrunners, left the project in mid-2020.
Production will take place in Vancouver, Canada, and while the start date has been changed several times, it is now believed by multiple sources that production will begin in November 2021 and last until April 2022.
The production of Avatar: The Last Airbender has begun as of November 16th. The confirmation that production is underway is accompanied by additional casting news, with the roles of Gyatso, Uncle Iroh, and Commander Zhao now filled.
Journalist Caleb Williams stated in January 2022 that production is now scheduled to last until May 2022 and that they are looking for extras “for the 2-part finale.”
The series’ filming is now scheduled to wrap in June 2022.
Jeremy Zuckerman, who composed the music for the live-action remake, was also expected to return.
There is no word on this. Given that the show isn’t set to begin production until at least November 2021, we’re expecting a release date in late 2022 or even 2023 at this point.