The animated original Nickelodeon Avatar: The Last Airbender recently hit Netflix, leaving viewers wondering when the reboot with live action will hit the streaming platform. And, more importantly, how will new series pay homage to the original animated version, while also adapting for a portrayal of live action?
The show was initially intended to draw on the vision of the original makers – with both as executive producers on the series. Recent changes in production staff have raised concerns among fans about the series’ commitment to the show’s original storyline and thematic undertones.
Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzo stepped down from the Netflix reboot
Recently, the original showmakers – Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko – stepped down from the Netflix reboot, causing Airbender enthusiasts to ask what went wrong behind the scenes. Why did the two retire, and how did Netflix’s overwhelming plans for the production contradict what the two had in mind?
DiMartino took to Facebook, announcing the choice to retire, noting that he and Konietzo were hired as “showrunners” and told Netflix “would stay fissured to honor their vision”. Yet he goes on to explain, “look, things are happening,” which led to both re-evaluating their priorities, and eventually ending up with both of their exits. After this, various speculations began to appear, and one got steam.
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Some theories suggest that Netflix is moving to a more mature atmosphere with older characters and sexual undertones. And, some worried that the streaming giant would whitewash something that should be a predominantly Asian cast of characters.
A petition from Change.org advocating for age convenience and good diversity has been circulated around the internet
Following the announcement that DiMartino and Konietzko had resigned, there was a petition for the Avatar restarting to create culturally and age-appropriate characters began to roam the internet.
The petition claims that diversity should be paramount and that the characters should be minors (as they are in the animated show). The series is about children – forced to face moderate challenges with an adolescent mindset. Remove the “child” part, and the show loses some of its intrigue and originality.
Refinery29 also recently compiled comments from fans about the performance of the original showrunners, noting the same concerns as the petition: that the show will cast actors who are far too old and do not represent the diversity of the show’s demographics.
Many feared that the original showrunners came off because their vision began to slip through the cracks – their groundbreaking work, which in its natural form always remains relevant, probably began to transform into something unknowable. While such news has yet to be confirmed, the action only speaks volumes to a fan base that is now suffering from a loss of excitement.
