Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2024
The wait for Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender is almost over. Ahead of its premiere on February 22, Netflix has released a new trailer filled with bending, battles, adventure, and humor — it’s our best look at the series yet!
First announced way back in 2018, the 8-episode remake has hit many hurdles in its development, most notably losing original series creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. However, showrunner Albert Kim seems to have done a fantastic job at bringing the beloved series to live-action. It’s already a significantly better adaptation than M. Night Shyamalan’s hugely disappointing 2010 movie attempt.
For those new to the series, Avatar is set in a world of four nations: Earth, Water, Fire, and Air. Certain inhabitants of these nations have the ability to control and manipulate (or ’Bend’) the respective elements. However, only the Avatar has the ability to master all four elements and thus has the responsibility to maintain balance in each of the four nations.
The series begins with Avatar Aang (Gordon Cormier), a 12-year-old Airbender who is released by Katara (Kiawentiio) and Sokka (Ian Ousley) after being frozen in an iceberg for 100 years. However, he is plunged into a world in chaos. The Fire Nation has revolted and broken the peace. The responsibility to restore harmony falls on the shoulders of the young Avatar, with the help of his newfound friends. Per the official logline:
“Alongside his newfound friends Sokka and Katara, siblings and members of the Southern Water Tribe, Aang embarks on a fantastical, action-packed quest to save the world and fight back against the fearsome onslaught of Fire Lord Ozai. But with a driven Crown Prince Zuko determined to capture them, it won’t be an easy task.”
With less than a month until it premieres, Netflix has released a full, jam-packed 2-minute trailer for Avatar. Check it out:
Trailer breakdown
The Boy in the Iceberg
We already know that the series won’t open with the same sequence that the animated show did. However, the classic opening will still be covered. And in the trailer, we get a glimpse of how it plays out. We see Aang, trapped inside an iceberg, as Katara and Sokka — siblings from the Water Tribe — happen to come across and free him. I love this shot of Aang stepping out of the iceberg for the first time, it’s such a grand entrance.
Credit: Netflix
The Air Scooter
For those of you worried that the show may lose the hilarity of the original, fear not! The remake is faithfully adapting the animated show, and that means the silliness remains. That includes Aang’s ride on the air scooter; an airbending trick of his own invention. And one that, well, he has not quite mastered yet. When Aang fails to control his air scooter and hits a statue, Sokka responds with: “Right, there goes the savior of the world.” This is only the trailer and I already love his sarcastic quips.
Credit: Netflix
Aang vs. Zuko
One of the first major battles in Avatar comes when Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation captures Aang and imprisons him, ready to deliver him to his father and take all the credit. But when Aang fights back, he single-handedly manages to fight his way out of the Fire Nation’s ship. It’s a real spectacle, and the first time we as viewers see the true power of bending. The live-action version of the battle will no doubt take things to a new level of awesome.
Credit: Netflix
Princess Azula
Despite not debuting until season 2 of the animated show, we know that the new series will deep dive into Azula’s character and develop her more. As the villainous princess of the Fire Nation, she will play a more substantial role in the live-action series. Here’s a new look at Azula, wielding a bow.
Credit: Netflix
June and Nyla
June is one of the most feared bounty hunters in all of the four nations. She is hired by Prince Zuko to locate and capture Avatar Aang. She travels on her shirshu, Nyla.
Credit: Netflix
Fire Lord Ozai
The tyrannical father of Zuko and Azula, Fire Lord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim) is the most powerful person in the Fire Nation and the central villain of the series. He exudes power and strength, especially in this new shot in particular.
Credit: Netflix
King Bumi
King Bumi is the old and eccentric King of Omashu; the second largest city in the Earth Kingdom. Upon entering Omashu, Aang meets the King, who puts his abilities to the test. Bumi traps both Sokka and Katara, and vows to only free them should Aang pass the ultimate test: he must defeat Bumi. The shot below show’s Bumi fending off Aang with his earthbending.
Credit: Netflix
Omashu
Speaking of King Bumi, check out this spectacular view of his Kingdom, Omashu. The scale is absolutely immense — and this isn’t even the biggest city in the Earth Kingdom!
Hei Bei
The depiction of forest spirit Hei Bei is a perfect example of just how incredible the character design is in this show. The level of detail is amazing.
Credit: Netflix
Katara vs. Zuko
Perhaps the most exciting bending battle depicted in the trailer was the fight between Katara and Zuko. The creativity of the bending, the scale — it’s everything fans have ever wanted to see and more!
Credit: Netflix
Zuko and Uncle Iroh
Prince Zuko is so determined to prove himself to his father, he’ll go to great lengths to do what it takes to capture the Avatar. He needs someone to keep him grounded. Enter Uncle Iroh, the wise old tea-drinking uncle who’s around to care for Zuko and make sure he’s on the right track. Iroh and Zuko’s bond is among the most wholesome in the show.
Credit: Netflix
The Blue Spirit
After Aang is captured by the Fire Nation’s Commander Zhao, his only hope comes from the most unlikely of allies: The Blue Spirit. A masked, master swordsman. determined to free Aang from his captivity. But who might this masked vigilante be? Well, his identity may shock you, but let’s not get into spoiler territory.
Credit: Netflix
The Avatar State
Before the trailer comes to a close, we’re given the tiniest glimpse of Aang entering the Avatar State. The glowing power allows the current Avatar to harness the skills and knowledge of all the past Avatars.
Credit: Netflix
Avatar: The Last Airbender premieres February 22 on Netflix.