Back in 2005, children’s
entertainment network Nickelodeon premiered an animated series that would
change the way networks perceive their viewers. “Avatar: The Last Airbender”
was a three-season ratings juggernaut that was universally appealing to multiple
age demographics. The success was so major that it led to comic-book sequels, a
live-action film adaptation, and even a sequel series that further expanded the
world that “Avatar” is set in. But after said sequel finished its run, barring
some graphic novel releases and “The Last Airbender” coming to Netflix the
Avatar universe had been quiet. And then everything changed when Nickelodeon
created a new studio for more “Avatar.”
Entertainment Weekly has it that Nickelodeon, or rather its parent
company ViacomCBS, just took a major step in blowing up their prize animated
franchise “Avatar” into something bigger than ever before. This past Wednesday,
February 24, the media company launched Avatar Studios, a division under
Nickelodeon that will specialize in developing and producing new animated series
or films all set in the “Avatar” universe. The original creators of “The Last Airbender,”
Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, are on board as the joint chief creative
officers of the studio, reporting to Ramsey Naito of Nickelodeon Animation.
"It's hard to believe it's
been 19 years since we created ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender,’" DiMartino
and Konietzko said in a statement. "But even after all that time, there
are still many stories and time periods in Aang's world that we are eager to
bring to life.” The two expressed their excitement at having a dedicated studio
towards expanding their franchise, with their first project being an animated
film that ideally would begin production this year. Any content created by
Avatar Studios will either see cinematic release, air on Nickelodeon or be
added to digital streaming on Paramount+ or Netflix.
ViacomCBS Kids & Family
division president Brian Robbins also has high regards for the award-winning
animated series and the rest of its franchise. "Avatar: The Last Airbender
and Korra have grown at least ten-fold in popularity since their original hit
runs on Nickelodeon,” he says, adding that they are happy to have the creators
of the epic to steer the universe to more future productions.
Image courtesy of Screen Rant
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