We will have no involvement in the project moving forward.

What happened between the original creators ofATLAand Netflix?

Why arent they involved in the live-action series anymore?

What does this mean for both that series and any animatedATLAprojects moving forward?

To answer those questions and more we trace the long history of this controversy.

While new graphic novels were being released it was a relatively quiet period forATLA.

Suddenly,it was announced Netflix had ordered a live-action series.

They would go deeper with the characters, story, action, and world-building.

The other post was more substantial, Konietzko stating that they were transitioning into the next phase of production.

The core team working on the show was growing and they were, writing, planning, and testing.

Too much Hollywood fare is fast-tracked and the results speak for themselves.

Casting was seemingly being considered at this time, with Konietzko stating theyd be starting it before too long.

He encouraged those who planned on auditioning to keep taking acting lessons along with martial arts and movement classes.

Everything seemed to be in perfect harmony and proceeding well.

Then, well, everything changed.

In August 2020, bothKonietzkoandDiMartinosimultaneously shared lengthy social media blasts announcing theyd chosen to leave the live-action series.

Both explained that while Netflix publicly promised to support their vision for the series, there was no follow-through.

DiMarinto stated that, I realized I couldnt control the creative direction of the series.

For both the original creators, the project was not what theyd hoped or been promised it would be.

DiMartino stated, it was necessary for my happiness and creative integrity.

Konietzko more bluntly hoped that future projects would afford him, trust and respect.

The changes proposed by Netflix must have been ones that would have ripped the very soul out of whatATLAwas.

This would explain why the creators felt disrespected, unhappy, and their creative integrity couldnt be maintained.

If they didnt have control over that, what was the point?

All eight episodes of the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender are available to stream on Netflix now.