The Avatar franchise is on its way to making a comeback, with multiple properties rumored to be in production. This involves the Earth Avatar series and a film that would follow the adult version of Aang and his friends from the original animated series.
However, the show and the film were supposed to release in 2025. While updates on the earth-bending Avatar are yet to be revealed, the movie starring the adult Gaang recently released its cast, where Dave Bautista is expected to play the chief antagonist. However, the film has been delayed to January 2026, which might be sad news, but fans are more than happy with the delay for one reason.
Fans want the adult Gaang movie to be done justice
The adult Gaang film does not have a name yet, but we do know who will be cast in the film. Dave Bautista has been cast as the chief antagonist in the film, but it is unknown what the nature of his role is going to be. The actor may play a returning villain, or be essaying the role of a brand new antagonist that we have never seen before.
While fans are excited to know more details about the film, they are also understanding of the delay in the project. The general consensus among fans is that the production should take as much time as it needs, but should not half-ass the film by any means
Take your time. Considering it’s a 2D animated film, let those animators cook and not feel the need to crunch! 🔥
— RJ (@ResonantJustice) April 18, 2024
If it makes the movie even better, I'm all for it.
— Dark Web Informer (@DarkWebInformer) April 18, 2024
We’ve waited over a decade for new Avatar content, I don’t care about the delay as long as this shit is good tbh
— ❍ᒍᗩY🎖 (@Ojay_CFC) April 18, 2024
I'm ok with this I trust the og creators. I want them to make the best possible film and the future of avatar has to be well thought out and handled with care. No need to rush anything the peak status is guaranteed!
— Eddie (@OHMYDIAZ) April 18, 2024
They better take this time and make sure it’s actually good
— Casper (@CXMCasper) April 18, 2024
Audiences are hyped for more Avatar: The Last Airbender content, but given how long the IP has taken to come back, fans want the creators to get it right, rather than turn the show into a cash cow that will fizzle out after a few years of pandering to the audiences.
Given that the original creators of the show are hard at work within Avatar Studios, it can at least be expected that they are making sure no unsavory choices are being made to harm the franchise that is just picking up steam.
Avatar Studios has an immense task at hand with that IP
Avatar Studios was set up in the hopes of creating an IP that would rival the likes of The Wizarding World and Star Wars. The idea was to generate a slew of content, set in the world created by Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino that would cater to audiences of all demographics. This would include going back to iconic characters like Aang, Zuko, and Toph, while also creating new content like the earthbending Avatar who is slated to be born after Korra.
Avatar: The Last Airbender has been an enormous success, along with its successor The Legend of Korra. The goal going ahead will be to create an IP that allows Paramount to have a strong contender on the big screen and on streaming services to rival that of Netflix and Disney’s range of IPs.
Avatar Studios could define the next big trend in Hollywood, where dedicated effort is put towards building a single IP by a studio rather than multiple smaller IPs that may or may not work.