Avatar: The Final Airbender and creators at Comedian-Con – Image: Netflix / Getty Photos
As you might need already heard, the creators behind the unique Avatar: The Final Airbender animated sequence are now not hooked up to the upcoming live-action Netflix adaptation. This information involves us via Michael Dante DiMartino’s private web site. Right here’s the whole lot we all know to date (and maybe extra crucially what we don’t know) in regards to the departure.
DiMartino states that each he and co-creator Bryan Konietzko exited out of the venture because of Netflix’s failure to uphold their promise of honoring DiMartino and Konietzko’s imaginative and prescient of the variation:
“When Bryan and I signed on to the venture in 2018, we had been employed as government producers and showrunners. In a joint announcement for the sequence, Netflix stated that it was dedicated to honoring our imaginative and prescient for this retelling and to supporting us on creating the sequence. And we expressed how excited we had been for the chance to be on the helm. Sadly, issues didn’t go as we had hoped.
Look, issues occur. Productions are difficult. Unexpected occasions come up. Plans have to vary. And when these issues have occurred at different factors throughout my profession, I attempt to be like an Air Nomad and adapt. I do my finest to flow, it doesn’t matter what impediment is put in my manner. However even an Air Nomad is aware of when it’s time to chop their losses and transfer on.”
– Michael Dante DiMartino
On this opinion piece, I will likely be speaking about what I believe occurred and why this won’t essentially be a foul factor.
To begin with, it’s clear that this sequence just isn’t imagined to be some low-budget cleaning soap drama made by unknown actors and writers that Netflix (and everybody else) will simply neglect about after a season. Netflix is adapting the extraordinarily in style Avatar: The Final Airbender animated sequence right into a live-action sequence. That may not be low cost and Netflix is aware of that. It’s additionally value noting that Netflix has purchased the distribution rights to each the unique Avatar cartoon and the Legend of Korra sequel series. They’ve additionally employed the creators of the unique cartoon to be showrunners of this adaptation. Clearly, Netflix goes all in and believes that this sequence will likely be very profitable. It’s apparent that although one thing occurred between the showrunners and Netflix, each events nonetheless need and have all the time needed for this present to achieve success.
Avatar – Image: Nickelodeon
Earlier than I’m going on, I need to point out the FandomWire article. FandomWire not too long ago printed an article the place they clarify what they’ve heard about this case. They declare that the showrunners needed a much bigger price range and that Netflix didn’t agree with the showrunner’s imaginative and prescient on a various solid. Netflix additionally needed to vary the tone of the present by “making a darker, mature tone with extra romance, intercourse, and blood.” Based mostly on our information, this isn’t the case. Netflix was not in opposition to a various solid and so they had been by no means making an attempt to pressure a darker tone on the showrunners and the present.
What was the unique imaginative and prescient for Avatar: The Final Airbender on Netflix?
I’ve executed some digging and that is what I’ve discovered in regards to the live-action adaptation: This live-action present is (was?) imagined to be a scene-by-scene adaptation. We’ve got additionally heard that DiMartino and Konietzko needed to introduce new, authentic characters into the sequence. That is the place a few of the artistic variations may’ve began and been the breaking level neither sides may comply with budge on.
Our concept is that whereas DiMartino and Konietzko needed to adapt their beloved cartoon and increase on it via a live-action lense, Netflix didn’t need to take any dangers. It’s clear to me that Netflix needed to repeat the animated sequence and paste it in a live-action format. I imply, are you able to blame them? Everyone knows that will nonetheless be extraordinarily worthwhile for Netflix, even when it doesn’t add something creatively.
While you preserve this concept in thoughts, it’s apparent why Netflix employed the creators of the unique cartoon. They know how you can copy their very own cartoon the very best, as a substitute of some random author who would put their very own (most likely terrible) spin on it. For my part, I believe that DiMartino and Konietzko had been pissed off about the truth that they weren’t allowed to take a lot if any, artistic liberties on their venture. Netflix needed to play it secure and that didn’t work for DiMartino and Konietzko as a result of they had been promised one thing totally different once they signed on.
Moreover, I additionally assume that miscommunication performed an element in all of this. This can be a quote from DiMartino’s authentic assertion on why they left the venture:
“In a joint announcement for the sequence, Netflix stated that it was dedicated to honoring our imaginative and prescient for this retelling and to supporting us on creating the sequence.”
– Michael Dante DiMartino
This might’ve simply be interpreted in a number of methods. That’s very true if you circle again to what we heard about how Netflix needed to adapt the sequence initially.
Netflix thought that the imaginative and prescient of the creators of the unique cartoon was, properly, the unique cartoon. They said they’d not intervene with their imaginative and prescient. What Netflix is making an attempt to say is that they’d not have company push ideas into the sequence that weren’t a part of the unique imaginative and prescient of the showrunners (i.e. darker tone, whitewashed solid). In the meantime, DiMartino and Konietzko had a special, doubtlessly new imaginative and prescient in thoughts and thought Netflix needed to help them with it. They needed so as to add authentic characters and possibly change the way in which sure storylines went.
Will Avatar: The Final Airbender be affected by the departures?
Remember that this text is made up of each my opinions and precise inside info on the state of affairs. Perhaps one thing else fully occurred. We’d by no means know. I personally assume that I do know what occurred although. Creatives and company hashing it out with a little bit of miscommunication thrown into the combination.
I additionally assume that DiMartino and Konietzko leaving the venture is not going to have an effect on the tip end result massively. As said earlier than, it’s imagined to be a scene-by-scene adaptation. It can most certainly nonetheless be a scene-by-scene adaptation now that the earlier showrunners have left and new ones will likely be in cost.
The departures are unlucky, although. Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko are unbelievable storytellers and their exit will definitely have an effect on the way forward for the present, even when it doesn’t change in high quality. That is notably true if you consider the backlash the announcement has seen.
This isn’t the primary time that showrunners have left a Netflix venture both, as this similar state of affairs has occurred earlier than with Netflix’s upcoming superhero epic Jupiter’s Legacy. Let’s hope it doesn’t occur once more.