While M. Night Shyamalan’s The Last Airbender may have been a critical disaster, the film has supplied Paramount with a decent box-office run, taking in over $79 million domestically, as it heads into its second weekend. While Shyamalan still has a way to go before he recoups the $150 million budget, it’s not hard to imagine the film turning a decent profit.
Of course, with that kind of box-office potential, it’s only a matter of time before Paramount starts talking about The Last Airbender sequel – poor critical reception didn’t stop the studio from making Transformers 3. Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately, Shyamalan has already mapped out two Airbender sequels.
Speaking with MTV, Shyamalan confirmed that he’s already begun work, in an unofficial capacity, on a pair of Airbender sequels. Just like any director staring down the barrel of a critical bomb, Shyamalan is already resting on one of Hollywood’s principle go-to change-ups, promising that the Airbender sequels will be darker in tone.
“I do [have things mapped out]. The third is more ambiguous, but the second one, I’ve written a draft that I’m really happy with and is darker and richer, and it has a wonderful antagonist in it in Azula, who’s kind of like our only real, pure antagonist in the series, so I’m excited about that.”
Check out the interview snippet below to hear it straight from Shayamalan himself:
Shyamalan also indicates that certain Last Airbender footage that was shot, but cut, will not appear as deleted material on the DVD release – as the scenes have been saved for the future sequels. Giving a hint at the direction Shyamalan hopes to take the franchise.
Hint: Elite female warriors en route.
“We shot [an amazing scene with the Kyoshi Warriors], and we spent an unbelievable amount of time choreographing them. And they just distracted from the movie, because the movie wasn’t about them. I probably won’t show the Kyoshi Warriors [on the DVD] because I want to save them for the second movie, because I’m going to have to introduce them all over again.”
Since Paramount already took a number of liberties with the franchise, to the studio an Airbender sequel is probably a no-brainer - considering the box-office potential, not to mention cliffhanger in the first film. But will they bring Shyamalan back? Especially since most critics have universally placed the blame, for Airbender’s failure, squarely on the director’s shoulders.
Shyamalan seems pretty rooted in the production process (having already shot scenes that could be used in a sequel), as well as the future direction of the franchise. It’s hard to imagine Paramount uprooting him simply because critics thought the first film was a total mess. While many fans of the Avatar cartoon, myself included, might have felt cheated by Shyamalan’s Airbender film, the general public is embracing the film with cash-money. While Shyamalan might have made a mockery of the cartoon as we know it, Aang and the Avatar franchise now have more commercial appeal than ever before.
Hopefully, the critical failure of The Last Airbender will finally be the kick in the pants that Shyamalan has needed for years – getting him out of his own head and back in the business of quality filmmaking.
What do you think of the prospect of a trilogy for The Last Airbender? Do you think Shyamalan is the man to finish the job?
Source: MTV
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Hey, Lets just say I’m in my later years and have watched more movies than most people have even thought about. Not an expert, but I know what I like. Airbender may have had some mistakes,but I belive these can be overcome. The potential is there. The story is there with heart. Give it a chance for at least part 2. We need more of these. What if there had only been one Star Wars,the acting wan’t that great,it had a low buget I belive, but it got better as it went on.
I gotta say- I normally NEVER comment on websites regarding movies, but after seeing the rampant fanboy/critic reaction to this movie, HAD to say something.
THIS MOVIE WAS NOT THAT BAD- my opinion. Was expecting a total piece of crap, was EXPECTEDLY plesantly surprised. Aside from the Stilted Acting and Dialogue, VERY ENTERTAINING. FUN.
Jen, GREAT JOB in defending this movie, as there was NO WAY this movie was THAT BAD. I’ve never watched the show, but I can understand how the Fans might be very upset. I know I was after watching the Harry Potters, which were BRUTALLY DESTROYED after the 2nd one, after Chris Colombus stopped doing them. The first two were the only ones which managed to capture the FEEL and ATMOSPHERE of Harry Potters well– But you don’t see as many critics/fanboys reacting there.
Are we all just loving to hate on M. Night Shyamalan? Are we all constantly expecting a ‘Sixth Sense’?
Here, while AGAIN, YES the Acting and Dialogue were iffy, but he COMPLETELY MANAGED to Capture that essence, really felt it throughout the movie. And the action scenes were GREAT.
And yes- the Acting and Dialogue could be better, but for what it was- a Kids movie w/ a touch of depth, it really WAS NOT as terrible as all fanboys/critics are making it out to be. Can pick up with a Trilogy.
His only REAL TERRIBLE movie was The Happening.
Maybe he should stick to just Directing and not writing the script/screenplay.
I NEVER comment on sites, however i am a fan of the last airbender series and shymalan DESTROYED IT. the ONLY reson that movie got the response it did was because everyone loved the series and thought he would at LEAST pronounce the names correctly. Its not the fact that the movie was terrible (which it was) but that it didnt follow the series. Its turning into eragon all over again. Shymalan needs to quit while he’s ahead. Forget the critics no one cares
what they say, its the viewers that count and they all say, shymalan is horrible. And his only mentionable movie is the sixth sense.
I never saw the series. I loved the movie though. I can’t wait for the sequal. I thought the kids were great! Some silly lines,but some of the biggest movies have stupid lines.m.night shyamalan did a good job overall.
I definitely support this movie series was a very good watch all these people that down it just because its not the original. Hey it’s a redo and to be honest why would you want to see the exact same thing over again? I was very impressed by the movie and hope to see more of these produced. The critics are exactly what they are termed and that is “Critics”. Job well done on the first one hope to see the future installments.
To tell you the truth, I could care less who finishes the films, as long as they eventually answer the cliffhanger that the CARTOON left us with… and that is, Where in the heck is Zuko’s mother?! And if he does continue on, Shyamalan better include King Bumi this time! And I don’t know what the big deal is about the Kyoshi Warriors. He says he doesn’t want to reintroduce them, but the cartoon had no problem doing so…
Dear god, please, someone fry his brain so he won’t be able to direct another movie in this lifetime.
I actually liked the movie. I watched the entire series. I didn’t expect the film to live up to the series because you just can’t fit all that humor, detail, and amazing hand drawn landscapes into a full length feature film.
I feel he did a good job with his restraints. Obviously he wasn’t making a live action TV series. He was making a trilogy loosely based on the series beginning with Book I: Water.
I didn’t expect it to be great, but still liked it and am tired of hearing people complain.
I loved the movie and I am a HUGE fan of the cartoon series. I’ve seen every episode in fact… and let me tell you, it would be impossible to duplicate the series in live action. I was a little disappointed that the names were butchered and Iroh wasn’t his “less than thin” self but I still loved it. People who are complaining are focusing WAY too much on the details and not enough on the movie itself. I can’t wait to see a sequel film, and if there isn’t one… I may cry!
It was a GREAT MOVIE! If it was garbage it would not have generated the revenue of which I am sure you don’t have! Some may not have liked it and also when it comes to the names there are legality issues of which I again say you probably know nothing about. Facts seem not to play out anymore. MY OPINION is I cannot wait for the 2nd and 3rd and most artists which include directors and writers DON”T want to use exact verbage as they are artist and LIKE their own originality. Books made into movies always have twists and uncommon normalites, all again normal and for the parameters he was given what a GREAT job! Can’t wait for the last two and the greenlite of which I am sure is not and will not be a problem. He had other projects sheesh!
Hey! Let’s see it. Airbender 2. I’m waiting.
I loved the movie,but that doesn’t surpeise me because I love M. Night Shyamalan. He is one of my favorites. After I watched the movie I found out it was based on a cartoon and watched all of them and loved them and can’t wait for the rest of the movies now. I didn’t even know the movie was out until it was already on DVD though but let me tell you everyone or almost everyone I know has seen this movie and loved it. I’m behind you all the way M. Night Shyamalan. Keep up all the great work. I’m your #1 fan.