Netflix recently announced that it’s working on producing a live-action remake of the beloved anime Avatar: The Last Airbender. While it’s great news, it’s a reason for concern too. Too many things can go wrong and the series can be either a hit or a miss, depending on how the streamer approaches the material. For example, Cowboy Bebop’s live-action was a total disaster!

Too many changes or failure to follow the source material can cause an uproar among the solid fanbase. But Avatar: The Last Airbender’s spin-off, The Legend of Korra, was positively received. The spin-off not only expanded the universe but also added depth. Maybe THIS particular element from the spin-off can offer both a fresh take and some depth to the live-action narrative!

Avatar: The Last Airbender should make space for pro-bending sports in the narrative 

This is not the first time that the west has tried to make a live-action remake of Avatar: The Last Airbender. M.Night Shyamalan’s attempt in 2010 was a complete box office failure. To not repeat history, Screenrant thinks Netflix should introduce pro-bending sports in its second jab at live action. 

Bending was already a part of the Avatar universe. But it was always mostly used as a part of warfare. Benders used bending to channel their elemental powers. However, The Legend of Korra added a spin to this and added pro-bending sports. The off-shoot introduced leagues and the elaborate rules that the leagues had to follow in sports complexes. Three benders from the Water, Fire, and Earth Nations would make up a team and fight off another team of Benders in the tournaments.

In fact, introducing leagues in the original universe will not deviate much from the source. Since the main cast of Avatar – Aang, Katara, and Sokka are youngsters, they can quite easily showcase their competitiveness in the matches. For the playful goofy Aang, taking part in the sport will not be entirely out of character for him. And the kids can always use their bending powers for some mischief!

While following the source material to the T is obviously going to make the fans happy, a little difference probably won’t hurt. What is your opinion about this?