Summary

• Netflix's live-action remake of Avatar: The Last Airbender needs to capture the humor and lighter moments that made the original animated series so appealing, adding to the overall tonal balance.
• Zuko's redemption arc, one of the best character developments in the series, should be faithfully portrayed, showcasing his complex history and internal struggle.
• Accurate depiction of bending, including martial arts forms and adherence to the bending rules, will enhance the visuals and make the action more compelling for audiences.

Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender live-action remake has a few things it needs to get right to help it measure up to the original animated series. Avatar hasn't seen much luck with adaptations, so the need to pull off a faithful retelling is pivotal. Since the remake is a series, there should be more room to dive into the plot points from the source material. This can hopefully allow a focus on fleshing out characters, plot points, and sub-plots.

With release date of Netflix's live-action The Last Airbender is scheduled for next year, fans of the original animated show are most likely eagerly anticipating how the show handles some of their favorite moments and characters. To do the serialized adaptation justice, Netflix should consider the downfalls of previous adaptations and keep a close eye on what makes the original show so popular. For example, the tone, character development, and of course, the action.

10 Netflix Must Nail Avatar: The Last Airbender's Light Tone

Sokka and Aang’s lighter moments add to the animated show’s appeal

One of the biggest criticisms of the existing live-action adaptation of Avatar is the lack of humor. Despite the show dealing with world-ending stakes and heavy responsibility, the fact that the main characters are children allows space for childlike antics that fell flat in M. Night Shyamalan's live-action film. The original show aired on Nickelodeon, making the lighter moments make sense since the network's content is predominantly for younger children.

Aside from audience appeal, which extends to adults because of the long history of the franchise, humor adds to the overall tonal balance that makes the show what it is. For instance, Sokka's sometimes chaotic energy is a source of comic relief amidst darker moments and is key to his character. In "The Southern Raiders," Sokka is found posing with a rose between his teeth when Zuko walks in. This humorous sight contrasts the darker storyline in the episode of Katara and Zuko heading off to avenge the former's mother.

9 Avatar: The Last Airbender’s Remake Must Stick To Zuko's Redemption Arc

Zuko’s character development is one of the best in the series

Few characters in Avatar experience more character development than Zuko. Because he starts out as a direct antagonist to Aang and the rest of Team Avatar, his journey is compelling. Additionally, Zuko's history makes his Avatar story more painful, which adds to his redemption later as it makes him a more sympathetic character. With all the trauma from his mother's disappearance, his father Ozai's physical abuse and willingness to sacrifice him, and his tension with his sister Azula, Zuko is hardly a cut-and-dry villain.

Zuko's internal struggle between familial acceptance and doing the right thing ultimately teaches him what honor means to him. By identifying where his ideals lie and how they contradict Ozai's, Zuko is able to make amends with his uncle Iroh, finally seeing how his love is pure and enough. Key moments to help strengthen this arc are in "The Storm" and "Zuko Alone" where Zuko's tragic backstory is unpacked. Cutting vital points in his journey to inner peace and morality could damage the impact of Zuko's character and risk him being too one-dimensional.

8 Bending In Avatar: The Last Airbender’s Remake Needs To Be Depicted Accurately

Staying true to the bending rules will add to the visuals

Another common complaint about the Avatar film adaptation is the inaccurate portrayal of bending. A typical example is a scene in the film where a group of earthbenders perform a synchronized display of bending only for one small boulder to move. Additionally, the firebenders are depicted as needing fire nearby to be able to bend, except Iroh who can bend out of nothing. Per the animated show, firebenders can bend out of thin air and earthbenders are depicted as much more powerful.

Netflix's Avatar remake needs to consider the different martial arts forms that go into each style of bending too. For instance, waterbending is inspired by Tai Chi, prioritizing control and fluidity (via Men's Health). Since bending forms the basis of action in the Avatar universe, nailing the finer details of it and the nuances that distinguish each style from one another will enhance audiences' experiences and make for visually compelling scenes.

7 Perfecting Pronunciations Can Appeal To Existing Fans Of Avatar: The Last Airbender

Character names should be pronounced according to the source material

A seemingly small but crucial detail to ensure is correct is the pronunciation of character names. While the live-action movie butchers names like Sokka (mispronounced as Soaka), Iroh (mispronounced as Eroh), and Aang (mispronounced as Ong), the Netflix remake needs to ensure it matches the source material. As if this isn't bad enough, there's also inconsistency between other pronunciations, like "Avatar" versus "Uh-vatar." In order to ensure fans of the animated series are appeased, and to stay true to the source material, Netflix's Aang, Sokka, Katara, and others need to employ a consistent use of Avatar words and names throughout the series. Details like this can pull audiences out of the experience, which can negatively impact viewership and worldbuilding.

6 Key Story Beats In Avatar: The Last Airbender’s Remake Need To Be Included

For more emotional impact, the script should include core moments

Similarly to why Zuko's backstory is important to his redemption arc, there are key moments throughout the three books that are necessary for the same emotional impact and narrative complexity that the animated show offers. For instance, Princess Yue's romance with Sokka and her sacrifice to save the Northern Water Tribe is crucial to the climax of Book One. Netflix's remake needs to take the time to dive into their love. This is more so their final moment - with Yue's spirit promising to always be with Sokka before they share a kiss - can have the impact it has in the original since Yue's fate in Avatar: The Last Airbender was set from the beginning.

Moreover, Aang's inner conflict about being the Avatar and his fear of responsibility and Zuko's relationship with Iroh all slowly unravel in the series and require time onscreen for audiences to care. Without the weight of these characters' decisions and development being ed by cleverly shown moments, the remake runs the risk of stripping the show of the captivating character interactions seen in the original. Pacing the story in a way that doesn't dump exposition on the audience can help favor inciting incidents the characters face in a more engaging way.

5 The Opening Voiceover Needs To Be Retained

Katara’s voiceover is a staple part of the original series

In the animated series, Katara narrates scenes of bending and Team Avatar. While the movie keeps the opening where each element is being used, it doesn't retain the voiceover. In fact, the bending has no narration over it and Katara's dialogue is altered to include mention of things like the Spirit World. While the information is correct, it spoils more than sets up lore reveals. In the series, the Spirit World is only introduced in Book One's episode 7.

More specifically, because of the abysmal fan response to the movie, it would be wise for Netflix not to follow in its footsteps by changing such an integral part of the source material. Katara's voiceover, after all, is what kicks off every episode in the animated show. While there's room for slight alterations, drastic changes could hurt the show's appeal. Plus, because Netflix's remake is a series, there's room to utilize it as an opening sequence like in the animated show instead of a once-off opener, allowing for memorable visuals to accompany Katara's words.

4 Tying In The Graphic Novels Could Enhance The Show

Some additional lore can add to the story’s world

Even though the Avatar: The Last Airbender graphic novels pick up right where the series ends, there's room to utilize some of the information divulged in these stories as a way to enhance some storylines or characters. For instance, Toph, who only s the team in Book Two, has a rich history in the graphic novels that includes her metalbending and her relationship with her overbearing family. Zuko's redemption arc could also benefit from some details in the graphic novels since trilogies, The Promise and The Search, deal with Zuko's missing mother Ursa.

3 Fine-Tune Creature Designs For The Avatar: The Last Airbender Remake

Replicating the essence of each creature with CGI can enhance the show

One of the fun and creative aspects of the original Avatar is the hybridized animals. From Aang's trusty sky-bison Appa to the mischievous winged lemur Momo, each creature has a different essence they bring to the story. Appa's seemingly unfazed, chronic state of exhaustion is a solid counter to Aang's high energy. Momo's adorable large eyes make his acts of mischief, like when he steals a moon peach from Sokka, easier to get away with. Part of getting these beloved animals accurate for the remake is through the design and CGI. In the live-action movie, the coloring and features are a lot harsher, making them seem more frightening than cute. This detracts from the personalities they embody in the animated version as it aligns them more with monsters than companions.

2 Ensure Villain Arcs Are Complex Like In The Last Airbender

iral Zhao and Fire Lord Ozai follow specific paths that make them so compelling as villains

In of Fire Lord Ozai, his reveal is prolonged in the animated show. He's often shown in shadow or silhouette even though he's present from Book One. Although the remake will include Ozai, using visual cues can paint him as the apathetic villain he is. Plus, with the backstory of how he treats Zuko and runs his kingdom, there's clear ways to enforce his role as an antagonist through flashbacks or cinematic scenes. iral Zhao embodies power-hungry, short-tempered traits that ultimately lead to his downfall. Ozai killed his own father to claim his birthright as the Fire Nation's leader and would kill subordinates if it meant more power, yet he also believes that the Fire Lord's job involves protecting his own people. Exploring their motivations and histories can help demonstrate the multifaceted nature of these characters.

1 Netflix Should Keep Aang’s Childlike Demeanor In The Avatar: The Last Airbender Remake

Aang’s journey growing up is critical to his journey to mastering his abilities

Aang is a child for the events of Avatar, yet he's faced with immense responsibility via the threat of the Fire Nation and the pressure to master the four elements. Although the animated show illustrates his more fun-loving side, like when he uses his glider, it alludes to Aang's unexplained past which Netflix can explore. This can include elaborating on Aang's childhood through expanded scenes of his air nomadic lifestyle before the iceberg. By prioritizing the essence of the characters and the core story beats and tone of the source material, Netflix can deliver an enjoyable Avatar: The Last Airbender remake that honors its inspiration.

Source: Men's Health