In an interview with Deadline, Nickelodeon president, Brian Robbins, revealed that the network is in the early stages of creating a shared universe set around Avatar: The Last Airbender. The planned project will consist of multiple shows and movies, the first of which is set to be an animated theatrical film which is scheduled for production in late 2021.
Speaking to Deadline reporters, Robbins said,
“We are in the early stages of developing and exploring what we are calling an entire Avatar Airbender universe,”.
“Mike and Bryan are hard at work, and I think that universe will encompass definitely a theatrical film, animation, certainly multiple TV series and probably multiple films. I think we will be ready very soon to tell the world what is coming first but we are not there yet because we’re in early stages of creative development.”
Brian Robbins – Nickelodeon President
Avatar: The Last Airbender, ran from 2005 to 2008 on Nickelodeon. The show was co-created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, with Aaron Ehasz as head writer. The show was both a commercial and a critical hit. Many fans still regard it as one of their favourite shows to this date. Additionally, The Legend of Korra, which is a follow-up to Avatar: The Last Airbender, ran from 2012 to 2014.
Nickelodeon aren’t the only ones working within the context of the show. Netflix are developing a live-action adaptation of the popular TV show. The show is being created without the involvement of any original writers. Netflix will be hoping their attempt at bringing the popular story to life will go better than the 2010 version, directed by M. Night Shyamalan, which is widely regarded as a massive flop.