Netflix developing Avatar series

Netflix is developing a live-action version of Nickelodeon animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender and has appointed the chairman and CEO of Axel Springer to its board of directors.

Avatar: The Last Airbender animated version

The live-action series will be overseen and executive produced by the show’s original creators, Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko.

It will be made in partnership with Nickelodeon, with production set to start next year. The show aired for three seasons on the Viacom-owned children’s channel between 2005 and 2008. It followed lead character Aang and his friends as they attempt to save the world.

“We can’t wait to realize Aang’s world as cinematically as we always imagined it to be, and with a culturally appropriate, non-whitewashed cast. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to build upon everyone’s great work on the original animated series and go even deeper into the characters, story, action, and world-building,” said DiMartino and Konietzko in a joint statement.

In related news, Netflix has appointed Berlin-based Mathias Döpfner of German publishing giant Axel Springer – behind titles such as Bild, Die Welt, Business Insider and Politico Europe – to its board.

“His leadership at the vanguard of both European business and digital media brings us invaluable perspective and insight as we work to build and constantly improve our business all over the world,” said Netflix co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings.

Mathias has been with Axel Springer since 1998, initially as editor-in-chief of Die Welt and since 2000 as a member of the management board. He became CEO in 2002. He is also a member of the board of directors of Warner Music Group and a former director of Time Warner.