Netflix's AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER Live-Action Series to Reportedly Gets New Showrunner and Changes Character Ages

Netflix is currently creating a live-action re-imagining of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Fans have overall been excited for this project although the level of excitement seemed to drop considerably when the creators of the original show, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, left the project. However, it is still in the pipeline at Netflix and a new report that I am going to list as a rumor comes from The Illuminerdi that a new showrunner has been found. Albert Kim is said to be the new showrunner with credits including Leverage, Nikita, and Sleepy Hollow. That’s not the only news though.

The Illuminerdi also says that the ages for the characters will be changed. Aang will still be 12, but Sokka will move from being 15 to 14 and Katara will age up from 14 to 16. Many fans, including myself, are very upset about this. A big part of Sokka’s character is that he’s the oldest of the group and he’s Katara’s big brother. Now that can no longer be the case. In addition, I find it harder to believe that a 16 year old would go for a 12 year old. I guess that gives the Zutara fans more of a chance though since it is a reimagining.

All of this being said, I just have to ask the question, why? I highly question how well a live-action version of this series will actually translate. Why not leave it animated? It was amazing animated, and I think the world itself in addition to the bending and action will probably always be cooler animated. Prove me wrong, Netflix.