Avatar Studios Launched by ViacomCBS, Which Will Produce a New Animated Theatrical Movie
ViacomCBS has just announced they are planning to expand upon the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender by creating a new studio that will be run by the animated series’ creators, Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. They are also announcing that later this year they are beginning production on a new animated movie that will be theatrically released and set in that world.
From ViacomCBS:
Nickelodeon today announced the launch of Avatar Studios, a newly formed division designed to create original content spanning animated series and movies based on the beloved world of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra. Original creators and executive producers Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko will helm the studio as co-chief creative officers, reporting to Ramsey Naito, President, Nickelodeon Animation. The Studio’s output will bow on platforms including Paramount+, ViacomCBS’ subscription video on-demand service; on Nickelodeon’s own linear and digital platforms; as well as on third-party platforms and in theaters.
The first project from Avatar Studios is slated as an animated theatrical film set to begin production this year. Additional details will be available soon.
DiMartino and Konietzko said in a statement:
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 19 years since we created Avatar: The Last Airbender. 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. We are fortunate to have an ever-growing community of passionate fans that enjoys exploring the Avatarverse as much as we do. And with this new Avatar Studios venture we have an unparalleled opportunity to develop our franchise and its storytelling on a vast scale, in myriad exciting ways and mediums. We are exceedingly grateful to Brian Robbins and Ramsey Naito for their enthusiasm and respect for the Avatar property and us as its stewards. From the start, they’ve supported our ambitious plans and created a positive, proactive environment for us. We’re excited to be back at Nickelodeon where Avatar began, doing what we do best in the biggest way possible. We can’t wait to build the great teams and productions to make all of this fantasy a reality,”
Let’s not forget that DiMartino and Konietzko departed Netflix’s live-action adaptation of the original series over creative differences last year. 2010’s awful The Last Airbender movie prompted them to come up with the much-loved The Legend of Korra series, so it’s funny to see them jumping ship from another live-action take on the property and getting the gang back together for (probably) more awesome animated adventures. Best of luck to them.
Miguel Fernández is a Spanish student that has movies as his second passion in life. His favorite movie of all time is The Lord of the Rings, but he is also a huge Star Wars fan. However, fantasy movies are not his only cup of tea, as authors like Scorsese, Fincher, Kubrick or Hitchcock have been an obsession for him since he started to understand the language of filmmaking. He is that guy who will watch a black and white movie, just because it is in black and white.
