Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender has reignited interest in series, even sparking conversations about an unrealized fourth season.
While the original series concluded with its third season, focusing on the elements of Water, Earth, and Fire, the notion of a fourth season themed around Air remains a compelling “what if” for the Avatar community over the years.
The idea of Season 4 was brought into the limelight when Aaron Ehasz, the former head writer of Avatar: The Last Airbender, shared details about the potential direction of the unproduced season. According to Ehasz, the fourth season would have delved into the redemption arc of Azula, Zuko’s sister, who was left in a state of despair at the end of the third season. Ehasz envisioned a narrative where Azula, at her lowest, would seek help from Zuko, mirroring his journey of redemption with Uncle Iroh’s guidance. This storyline would have not only provided closure for Azula’s character but also explored themes of forgiveness and healing.
I always intended for #Azula to have a redemption arc in the story of #AvatartheLastAirbender. (thread)
— aaron ehasz (@aaronehasz) April 1, 2019
Furthermore, Ehasz hinted at other compelling storylines that the fourth season could explore such as the consequences of Aang removing Fire Lord Ozai’s bending and the exploration of the spirit world with Iroh. A particularly intriguing plot involved the birth of a new Airbender, raising questions about the reincarnation of Gyatso, Aang’s mentor, and the enduring nature of friendships.
Despite all these intriguing possibilities, the fourth season of Avatar: The Last Airbender never materialized, partly due to the creators’ focus on The Last Airbender film directed by M. Night Shyamalan. The decision to conclude the series after three seasons was also ultimately made by creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko.
The two had a three-season arc envisioned from the beginning, telling Polygon in 2020 that a fourth season would not come from them. While Ehasz’s reveal offers a glimpse into what could’ve been, the series ended on a high note, leaving a lasting impact on its audience.
Nevertheless, the Avatar universe may very well revisit these shelved ideas. The show’s creators DiMartino and Konietzko now lead now lead Avatar Studios, with an animated feature film following the Gaang as adults coming out in 2025.
Furthermore, Netflix’s live-action adaptation could pave the way for the realization of a fourth season or pave the way for new stories to tell within the Avatar universe.
If the adaptation captures the hearts of fans and proves successful, it might inspire the exploration of untold narratives, potentially incorporating elements from the envisioned fourth season or birth spin-offs that could delve deeper into the relatively unknown gap between the events if Avatar: The Last Airbender and Avatar: The Legend of Korra.
Netflix’s adaptation thus represents a unique opportunity to revisit the Avatar universe and explore new dimensions of its rich lore and beloved characters.
As the live-action series unfolds, fans can only hope it honors the original’s spirit while offering fresh perspectives on the epic journey of Aang and his friends.
Our review suggests that Netflix has a huge hit on their hands. Furthermore, the casting seems to be on point as the internet fawns over Maria Zhang’s portrayal of Suki. But it’s still unclear if it can nail the transition of Toph Beifong, who remains uncast, from the animated series to the small screen.
