Bending is back on the menu, as Netflix unveils the official trailer for Avatar: The Last Airbender. Set to release on February 22, the eight-episode, hour-long first season of Nickelodeon’s live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender will transport viewers to a fantasy and war-torn world. The new Netflix series is inspired by Asian and Indigenous American culture, where certain people can “bend” one of four natural elements: water, earth, fire, or air.
Importantly, this world is also home to the Avatar, a reincarnated being with the unique ability to bend all four elements who are tasked with maintaining balance in the world. As per the official synopsis, “Water. Earth. Fire. Air. The four nations once lived in harmony, with the Avatar, master of all four elements, keeping peace between them. But everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked and wiped out the Air Nomads, the first step taken by the firebenders towards conquering the world. With the current incarnation of the Avatar yet to emerge, the world has lost hope.”
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The synopsis further adds, “But like a light in the darkness, hope springs forth when Aang, a young Air Nomad — and the last of his kind — reawakens to take his rightful place as the next Avatar. Alongside his newfound friends Sokka and Katara, siblings and members of the Southern Water Tribe, Aang embarks on a fantastical, action-packed quest to save the world and fight back against the fearsome onslaught of Fire Lord Ozai. But with a driven Crown Prince Zuko determined to capture them, it won’t be an easy task. They’ll need the help of the many allies and colourful characters they meet along the way.”
The TV series has assembled a stellar cast to bring the beloved characters to life, with Gordon Cormier leading the ensemble as Aang, “the fearless, easygoing 12-year-old who is keeper of the world’s balance and peace.” Kiawentiio will join Cormier’s Aang as Katara, the skilled waterbender; Ian Ousley as her resourceful brother, Sokka; Dallas Liu as Prince Zuko, the conflicted firebender; Daniel Dae Kim as the powerful Fire Lord Ozai; Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as the wise Uncle Iroh; Elizabeth Yu as the cunning Azula; and Ken Leung as the ambitious Commander Zhao.
Additionally, Casey Camp-Horinek portrays Gran Gran, Arden Cho takes on the role of June, Maria Zhang embodies Suki and Yukari, Sebastien Amoruso brings Jet to life, Utkarsh Ambudkar shines as King Bumi, and Danny Pudi delivers a unique take on The Mechanist.
Packed with action and a ton of elemental bending, the official trailer for Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender throws viewers into the heart of the Fire Nation’s war, offering tantalizing glimpses of the show’s iconic characters, setting, and plot. The clip opens with ships slicing through an open sea as a voiceover pleads, “The Fire Nation is embarked on a dark path and the world might never recover. The world needs the Avatar. It needs you, Aang.”
We also get a thorough look at all the stunning scenery, breathtaking landscapes, and magical vibes of the world; however, the trailer largely focuses on setting up Aang, the titular Avatar, as a young hero preparing and teaming up with his new friends — waterbender Katara (Kiawentiio) and her brother Sokka (Ian Ousley) of the Southern Water Tribe — to save and restore balance to the world. “I’m the Avatar and I’m going to save the world… with my friends,” Aang says in a voiceover at the end of the trailer.
Albert Kim serves as showrunner and executive producer. Michael Goi and Jabbar Raisani direct and executive produce with Rideback’s Dan Lin and Lindsey Liberatore. Co-executive producers Roseanne Liu and Jet Wilkinson also direct. Avatar: The Last Airbender hits Netflix on February 22.
