Long ago, Netflix and the co-creators of the original Avatar: The Last Airbender animated series lived in harmony. Then everything changed when the creators walked away from the live-action project.
I’ll be completely honest, I wasn’t keen on another live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender after what happened last time in 2010. Traumatised.
However, when it was announced that the co-creators of the original animated series will be part of the Netflix live-action project, I was slightly hopeful for it. Slightly. Admit it, you were scared too. But that hope has now burned to ashes as the co-creators, Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, have officially left the live-action series project.
The creators announced their departure on Wednesday with DiMartino’s lengthy blog post confirming fans’ concerns as the writer and executive producer noted that “whatever version ends up on-screen, it will not be what Bryan and I had envisioned or intended to make.” That’s it, throw the whole project away! It’s 2010 all over again!
Why did they leave? Both DiMartino and Konietzko cited creative differences with the online streaming site, Netflix over the direction of the project. When Netflix first announced in 2018 that Avatar: The Last Airbender is coming to the streaming site, things were going pretty well but 2 years later, it just didn’t work out.
“In a joint announcement for the series, Netflix said that it was committed to honouring our vision for this retelling and to supporting us on creating the series. And we expressed how excited we were for the opportunity to be at the helm. Unfortunately, things did not go as we had hoped,” said DiMartino.
What does Netflix have to say about their departure? A spokesperson for the streaming site said that they have complete respect and admiration for Michael and Bryan and the story that they created in the Avatar animated series and although the creators have left the project, Netflix is confident in the creative team and their adaptation. Oh boy
Fans of the show have voiced out their opinions on the news:
Yo @netflix if you don’t let Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko do their thing you’re gonna piss a lot of people off. Wanna make money? Let creators create. #Avatar was THE best cartoon and you’re about to ruin it. #thanks
— Cristian Cruz (@cristianqcruz1) August 13, 2020
@netflix homie that Avatar adaptation is going to be an absolute dumpster fire and I can't wait to watch reviews for it
— Aloehart (@Aloehart199) August 13, 2020
Very true points I’d say and there’s more where that came from. In the end sadly, we’re not getting what the co-creators originally wanted for the series. Netflix is still going forward with the live-action series. What do you think of the news? Will the show be any good? Share us your thoughts in the comments
