Avatar Studios, Nickelodeon's newly formed subsidiary established to focus on expanding the unique fantasy world of both
Avatar: The Last Airbender and
Legend of Korra -- has evidently been busy developing some of the many projects creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino have teased in the past. For those projects, Avatar Studios is reportedly creating a new animation style.
According to a ViacomCBS job listing, this new style will be a combination of 2D and CG animation aimed at creating a "unique production look."
It could be a completely new look that has never been seen before, but to give you an idea, a similar concept is what was exemplified in the iconic animation style of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018). In that film, they used a hybrid technique to create a 2D comic book art look with computer and traditional animation. Avatar wouldn’t be trying to make a comic book style, but it might use similar workflows to achieve the style it is going for.
At the current time, it's uncertain if this new style will be used in a feature length film or a new animated Avatar series. However, it's worth noting that Nickelodeon teased in the past that there are several CG films in the works.
President and CEO of Nickelodeon and chief content officer of kids and family for Paramount+ Brian Robbins
said in September, "We signed a deal to bring the original creators of
Avatar back into the studios. They started Avatar Studios, and they're well on their way in development on a series of CG films and a new
Avatar series."
DiMartino and Konietzko previously announced that several projects are currently in development at Avatar Studios, but warned that audiences are unlikely to see these on the screen within the next few years. The studio has an “
ambitious, multi-tiered plan” that could take “20 years” and will explore the “history and future” of the world of
Avatar.
In a previous interview, Konietzko explained, "Mike and I, we're building an awesome team very slowly at Avatar Studios— small team, but we're working our way up— and it'll be years before that stuff's out— but so excited to share all that with everybody. We've got a bunch of cool stuff in the works."
Composer Jeremy Zuckerman
revealed that he’s seen what they’re working on, and it’s “inspired and gorgeous; the quality is… even higher than you would expect.”
“There’s gonna be good stuff in the future. Avatar Studios is up to some cool stuff; that’s gonna be exciting and beautiful. I’ve seen a couple things– not gonna say a word– but it’s inspired and gorgeous. Can I just say that the quality is… even higher than you would expect. So, it’s gonna be good stuff,” the composer revealed.
In addition to Avatar Studios' upcoming productions, Nickelodeon and Paramount Home Entertainment announced the release of both
Avatar: The Last Airbender and
The Legend of Korra in a new Blu-ray bundle.
The Ultimate Aang and Korra Blu-ray Collection includes all three seasons of both
The Last Airbender and its sequel series, as well as over 80 minutes of exclusive content.
Outside of Avatar Studios, at least one project inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender is in development. Netflix is currently producing a live-action adaptation of the series, with Gordon Cormier starring as Aang, Kiawentiio as Katara, Ian Ousley as Sokka, Dallas Liu as Zuko and Daniel Dae Kim as Fire Lord Ozai. The series is being headed by showrunner Albert Kim, who is also serving as executive producer and writer. No release date has yet been announced.
