Creative differences, Avatar creators quit Netflix adaptation

The creators of ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko have cut ties with the upcoming live-action Netflix adaptation, after working on the preproduction for two years. The decision was announced in an open letter addressed to the Avatar fans.

“Many of you have been asking me for updates about the Avatar live-action Netflix series. I can finally tell you that I am no longer involved with the project. In June of this year, after two years of development work, Bryan Konietzko and I made the difficult decision to leave the production,” the letter read.

DiMartino and Konietzko were the creators of the Nickelodeon animated TV show of Avatar. They cited creative differences as the reason to quit. In 2018, both of them were hired by Netflix as the executive producers and showrunners of the adaptation. The production had also said that it was committed to honouring the vision of the creators.

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“Unfortunately, things did not go as we had hoped,” DiMartino said adding that whatever version of Avatar ends up on-screen, it will not be what they had envisioned or intended to make. Ending the letter in a positive note he said that this doesn’t mean an end of his involvement with the Avatar universe.

Meanwhile, Netflix still plans on going ahead with the remake without their involvement

“We have complete respect and admiration for Michael and Bryan and the story that they created in the Avatar animated series. Although they have chosen to depart the live-action project, we are confident in the creative team and their adaptation,” Netflix said in a statement.

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Earlier, a 2010 live-action movie adaptation by Manoj Night Shyamalan was heavily criticised by Avatar fans and film critics.