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One of the most popular television series of all time is set to see its live action adaptation hit the small screen this week.
Building on the success of its live action adaptation of the animated One Piece series, Netflix is set to release Avatar: The Legend of Aang tomorrow, February 22.
The series is set in a war-torn world where certain people can ‘bend’ one of the four classical elements – water, earth, fire or air.
Aang, the ‘Avatar’ and the last living Airbender, is the bridge between the mortal and spirit worlds, and the only one capable of bending all four of the elements instead of just one.
The Avatar maintains the balance of the world and nature to bring peace, and Aang is now faced with the responsibility of ending the ambitions of the militaristic Fire Nation to conquer the world.
With his new companions Katara and Suka, Aang sets out to master the four elements while pursued by Zukko, the exiled crown prince of the Fire Nation, who seeks to regain his honour by capturing him.
The remake of the series began its production in 2019, and each episode is reported to have cost more than $15 million to make, with eight episodes per season.
The series’ original creators, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, were initially announced to be the executive producers and showrunners, but left due to creative differences.
In August 2021, Albert Kim was officially announced as a writer, executive producer and showrunner.
An ensemble cast including Gordon Cormier, Dallas Liu, Kiawentiio, Ian Ousley, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Elizabeth Yu and Daniel Dae Kim will be playing the beloved characters within the series.
The change of showrunners has left many fans trepidatious about what the series might look like, especially after the last time the series was adapted for live action in 2010 by M. Night Shyamalan. It was roundly criticised by fans and critics, and now holds a five per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
