The "Avatar: The Last Airbender" Creators Just Left The Netflix Version, And Fans Aren't Happy
"It will not be what Bryan and I had envisioned or intended to make."
If you were looking to fill your post–Avatar: The Last Airbender void with the upcoming Netflix live-action series, then listen up: There's been a major update with the show's production.
For context, some fans were already pretty nervous about the live-action version — especially after the widely panned M. Night Shyamalan live-action movie. However, one thing that the Netflix adaptation had going for it that the 2010 movie didn't was the input of the original show's co-creators: Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. Or, at least, it did before today.
AND I can confirm that the original creators, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, will be back to take on the live action. THIS IS WHAT WE’VE BEEN TRAINING FOR ALL THESE YEARS. https://t.co/Pi5M1TDTZc
On his website, Michael Dante DiMartino posted the following statement: "In June of this year, after two years of development work, Bryan Konietzko and I made the difficult decision to leave the production."
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"When Bryan and I signed on to the project in 2018, we were hired as executive producers and show runners," he continued. "In a joint announcement for the series, Netflix said that it was committed to honoring our vision for this retelling and to supporting us on creating the series [...] Unfortunately, things did not go as we had hoped."
He then said, "I try to be like an Air Nomad and adapt. I do my best to go with the flow, no matter what obstacle is put in my way. But even an Air Nomad knows when it’s time to cut their losses and move on."
"And who knows? Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Avatar has the potential to be good. It might turn out to be a show many of you end up enjoying. But what I can be certain about is that whatever version ends up on-screen, it will not be what Bryan and I had envisioned or intended to make."
Bryan also posted a statement on his Instagram, saying, "Though I got to work with some great individuals, both on Netflix's side and on our own small development team, the general handling of the project created what I felt was a negative and unsupportive environment."
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In the wake of the news, some fans took to Twitter to voice their disappointment:
mike & bryan quit the avatar netflix series??? we’re fucked
GUYS THE ORIGINAL CREATORS OF ATLA ARE LEAVING THE NETFLIX PROJECT- “Though I am profoundly disappointed by how it turned out” YALL SEE THIS?? I CANT HANDLE ANOTHER SHIT LIVE ACTION I- PLEASEEEE THIS IS HORRIBLE NEWS😭😭😭😭😭HELPPPPP
Atla fans when they realize we’re getting another bad live action remake #AvatarTheLastAirbender #Netflix
yea I'm not watching the atla netflix adaption anymore