Key Takeaways:
– The animated series ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender' has a live-action remake on Netflix.
– The creators of the original show, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, left due to creative differences.
– Albert Kim was appointed as the showrunner and revealed that among the writers, the popular character to write was Katara.
– Kim also shared that his favorite character to watch was Prince Zuko, despite him being the antagonist of the series.
om the creators of the original animated series, Michael Dante DiMartino, and Bryan Konietzko, ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender' continues to be a fan favorite. The last season of the animation aired over ten years ago, with its popularity leading to a 2010 live-action adaptation by M. Night Shyamalan and a sequel series, ‘The Legend of Korra', that aired from 2012 to 2014. Now, in 2023, Netflix has released its own live-action remake of the much-beloved series.
A Fan Favored Cast
Similar to the animated series, the Netflix remake features an array of engaging characters. From Aang the Avatar, his companions Katara and Sokka, to the exiled Fire Nation prince Zuko, each character has a fanbase. Fans aren't the only ones picking favorites – the writers of the series have their own bias too.
Creative Divergence and New Leadership
Initially, DiMartino and Konietzko were involved in the Netflix remake as executive producers and showrunners. However, in August 2020, they took to Instagram to announce their exit from the project due to creative differences. Fast forward, and Albert Kim, a passionate fan of the animated series and previously involved in the writers' room, was appointed as the showrunner in 2021.
In an interview with ‘IndieWire', Kim revealed that he briefly worked with the original creators and clarified some of his questions as a fan.
Writers' Favorite Character Revealed
During his interview, Kim was asked about his favorite character to write. Surprisingly, he confessed, “Katara (Kiawentiio) is probably the most emotional of the characters, so that's catnip for writers.” Katara, a fourteen-year-old waterbender from the Southern Water Tribe, is portrayed by ‘Anne with an E' actress Kiawentiio Tarbell in the Netflix series.
While the characters of Sokka, with his sense of humor, and Aang, with his optimism and childlike hope, are loved by many, Kim's personal favorite to watch is unexpected.
A Surprising Personal Favorite
Kim confessed, “I would argue Zuko is probably the most popular character from the original series because of his incredible redemption arc; I think one of my favorite episodes of our series is all centered around Zuko; the sixth episode may be my favorite of the whole season.”
Despite Zuko's temper and status as Aang's antagonist, Kim's admiration for the character and storyline make sense.
‘Avatar: The Last Airbender' continues to resonate with fans old and new on Netflix. Whether it's nostalgia, the captivating characters, or the profound storylines, the popularity of this timeless series lives on. The unexpected revelations from showrunner Albert Kim add a fresh twist to the familiar narrative, making for a more intriguing watch. As viewers continue to stream the series, the essence of Avatar – its complex characters and engaging storyline – remains alive and well on the platform.
