The Last Airbender: Legend of Korra
The Last Airbender: Legend of Korra (originally titled Avatar: The Legend of Korra) is an upcoming American animated television series that is expected to air on Nickelodeon in mid-2012.[1] The series is a sequel to Avatar: The Last Airbender, which aired on the same network from 2005 to 2008, and may run for 26 episodes.[2] It will take place in the same fictional universe as the original show, whose societies include a multitude of elements derived from East Asian, and Inuit cultures. In it some people have the psychokinetic ability known as 'bending', by which they control and manipulate either water, earth, fire, or air. A single being known as the 'Avatar', described as the 'physical embodiment of the world's spirit', has the power to bend all four elements and is responsible for maintaining both the balance of nature and peace between the world's four great nations. Korra, protagonist of the new series, is the next incarnation of the Avatar after Aang of the original series.[3] Set at least seventy years after the defeat of Phoenix King Ozai and Princess Azula in the four-part finale of the original show, creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko[4] plan to follow Korra as she learns Airbending, having mastered the other three elements, while facing an anti-bender revolution by a group known as the Equalists.[3]
Series overview
The series will focus on Korra, a teenage girl from the Southern Water Tribe and the current incarnation of the Avatar, who, according to the president of Nickelodeon, will be "hotheaded, independent, and ready to take on the world".[1] She has already mastered Water, Earth, and Fire, but has yet to master Air.[3] The character was partly inspired by Avatar Kyoshi of the original series, who the creators say was well-liked among fans. To avoid repetition of Aang's adventures, the show will be set in a single place, called Republic City, a steam-punk metropolis inhabited by benders and non-benders of all nations and founded by Aang and Zuko after the 100-year world war of the original series. The city's police are Metalbenders (a subset of Earthbenders), taught their art by Toph Bei Fong of the original series, and led by her daughter. The city's most popular sport is pro-bending, which sets teams of benders against each other. The conflict of the first season will center upon a group of anti-benders, called the Equalists, who use chi-blocking to subdue their enemies. A concept drawing of the city, released with the announcement of the series, shows the city's design inspired by Shanghai in the 1920s and 1930s, Hong Kong, Manhattan, and Vancouver. In the show, Korra will learn Airbending from Tenzin, youngest child of Aang and Katara, and will contend with an anti-bender revolution in Republic City. Korra's final design was revealed at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Convention, along with her companion Naga. It was also mentioned that Aang found a small colony of flying bison after the war, and that the second season will include ring-tailed winged lemurs.
Production
It was announced at the annual Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2010 that a series based on Avatar: The Last Airbender was in development at Nickelodeon and due for release in October 2011.[1][5] It will involve Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, the creators and producers of the original series.[4] Tentatively titled "Avatar: Legend of Korra", it was intended to be a twelve-episode[2] mini series set in the same fictional universe as the original show,[1] seventy years later.[6] The show's premiere was delayed to 2012 to permit the addition of 14 episodes.[1] It has also been confirmed in the San Diego Comic-Con 2011 that the first twelve episodes will be in the first season and the other fourteen in the second season.
The show is expected to be darker-themed than the original show, but with a balance between mature themes and a sense of fun and adventure; also included will be some "cheesy teen romance" featuring protagonist Korra. The creators also confirmed that they will personally write all of the episodes, explaining that, as a mini-series, filler episodes will be omitted, allowing for a more concise story.[7] Joaquim Dos Santos and Kihyun Ryu, who worked on the animation and design of the original series, will also be involved in this show, as will storyboarder Ian Graham. Furthermore, Jeremy Zuckerman, who composed the soundtrack for the original series as part of "The Track Team", will also be returning to score "Legend of Korra".[8]
Dante Basco, voice actor of Prince Zuko in the first series, has confirmed his return to the second,[9] representing a character related to Zuko in some way.[10] Basco also confirmed that one of the episodes is currently titled "Skeleton in the Closet".[11] Similarly, Dee Bradley Baker has confirmed that he will also return to the series, voicing several animals and humans. He also called the series "The Journey of Korra", though it is unknown whether this was an error.[12] Rob Paulsen has confirmed that he and Eva Marie Saint will both voice characters in the series, although Paulsen's role will be relatively minor.[13] Richard Epcar is also confirmed to portray a character.[14]
The opening titles were leaked on the web in December 2011 revealing that the first episode will be titled "Welcome to Republic City.". It showed the title as Avatar: Legend of Korra, and all of the images were reversed, so this is likely an old, pre-name change video that could have changed in the time since. However, the reverse of the images is a common technique used by video uploaders to avoid copyright problems. Later that same month, a press release was made that confirmed the Dutch premiere date to be in fall 2012.[15]
Characters
- Korra (Janet Varney, Cora Baker in a flashback)[16] is the main character of the series and the next Avatar, after Aang. She is a hotheaded teenager from the Southern Water Tribe, described as "ready to take on the world".[17] Before the beginning of the series, she has already mastered Waterbending, Earthbending, and Firebending, and must learn Airbending from Tenzin, Aang and Katara's youngest son. Korra has a polar bear dog named Naga as her animal guide.[18]
- Mako (David Faustino)[16] is a firebender and one of Korra's friends. He is described as "dark and brooding", and participates in pro-bending with his younger brother Bolin. He is named after the late Mako Iwamatsu, who provided the voice of Iroh in the original series.[19]
- Bolin (P.J. Byrne)[16] is another of Korra's friends, an earthbender, and Mako's younger brother. In contrast to Mako, Bolin is often light-hearted and humorous. He participates in pro-bending, the most popular sport in Republic City. Bolin has a pet Fire Ferret named Pabu.[18]
- Tenzin (J. K. Simmons)[16] is Korra's airbending master. He is the youngest of Aang and Katara's three children, and the only one that is an airbender. He has three children himself that are all airbenders, with a fourth on the way.[20]
- Jinora (Kiernan Shipka)[16] is Tenzin's eldest daughter, an airbender, and an avid reader.[21]
- Ikki is Tenzin's youngest daughter, second child, and described as "fun, crazy, and a fast talker". Ikki is also an airbender.[21]
- Meelo is Tenzin's only son and the youngest of his three children.[21] Meelo resembles Aang (his grandfather) and is described as erratic or active, in contrast to his solemn father. Like his sisters, Meelo is an airbender.[21]
- Pema is Tenzin's wife, a non-bender, and the mother of Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo. She is currently pregnant with her fourth child.[19]
- Amon is a mysterious masked man who leads "the Equalists", an anti-bending organization which uses chi-blocking skills to subdue their foes. He has been confirmed as the major antagonist of the series.[20]
- Chief Bei Fong is Toph Bei Fong's daughter and head of the Republic City police. The police use metalbending to subdue criminals, taught to them by Toph herself.[20]
- Naga (Dee Bradley Baker)[12][22] is Korra's female Polar Bear Dog and animal guide.[20]
- Pabu (Dee Bradley Baker)[12] is Bolin's black-footed red panda ferret (Fire Ferret).[19]
- Elderly Katara (Eva Marie Saint)[13][22]
- Hiroshi Sato (Daniel Dae Kim)[16]
- Asami (Seychelle Gabriel)[16]
- Lieutenant (Lance Henriksen)[16]
- (Rob Paulsen)[13][22]
- (Richard Epcar)[14][22]
- (Dante Basco)[9]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Speakeasy blog By Christopher John Farley". WSJ.com. 2011-03-08. http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/03/08/the-last-airbender-legend-of-korra-the-creators-speak/?KEY. Retrieved 2011-03-08.
- ^ a b Zuckerman, Jeremy; Wynn, Benjamin (August 5, 2010). Exclusive: Airbender Composer Duo Track Team Talk Korra and More. Interview with Matt Patches. UGO Entertainment. http://www.ugo.com/tv/the-legend-of-korra-music-update. Retrieved September 5, 2010. "The cool thing is that it's going to be twelve episodes...".
- ^ a b c John, Christopher (2010-07-19). "Legend of Korra: The Avatar Creators on the New Spinoff – Speakeasy – WSJ". Blogs.wsj.com. http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/07/21/legend-of-korra-the-creators-of-avatar-the-last-airbender-on-the-new-spinoff/. Retrieved 2010-07-23.
- ^ a b Liu, Ed (April 19, 2010). "Nickelodeon Studios Staffing Up for New Avatar the Last Airbender Project". Toon Zone LLC. http://www.toonzone.net/news/articles/33286/nickelodeon-studios-staffing-up-for-new-avatar-the-last-airbender-project. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
- ^ Rothing, Hilary (July 8, 2010). "Avatar: Legend of Korra Details at Comic-Con?". UGO Entertainment. http://www.ugo.com/tv/avatar-legend-of-korra-details-at-comic-con. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
- ^ "Animation News Discussion Cartoon Community – toonzone news". Toonzone.net. http://www.toonzone.net/news/articles/34609/sdcc2010--batman-under-the-red-hood-roundtables-pt-2-timm-greenwood-amp-romano. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
- ^ Fitzpatrick, Kevin (2010-07-26). "Comic-Con 2010: The Legend of Korra Interview". UGO.com. http://www.ugo.com/tv/comic-con-2010-legend-of-korra-interview. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
- ^ Patches, Matt (2010-07-22). "Airbender Composer Zuckerman Confirmed for Legend of Korra". UGO.com. http://www.ugo.com/tv/comic-con-2010-avatar-airbender-composer-confirmed-for-legend-of-korra. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
- ^ a b "Dante Basco returns". http://dantebasco.wordpress.com/2010/11/. Retrieved 22 November 2010.
- ^ "Dante playing character similar to Zuko". Dante Basco in Twitter. http://twitter.com/dantebasco/status/4338535209369600/. Retrieved 22 November 2010.
- ^ "Basco releases episode title.". Dante Basco in Twitter. http://twitter.com/dantebasco/status/4678602121551872. Retrieved 22 November 2010.
- ^ a b c "Interview - Dee Bradley Baker on... Journey of Korra?!?". Blogger.com. 2010-08-30. http://korranation.blogspot.com/2010/08/interview-dee-bradley-baker-on-journey.html. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
- ^ a b c "Rob confirms work in series.". Rob Paulsen in Twitter. http://twitter.com/yakkopinky/status/7200820827262977. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
- ^ a b "Richard confirms work in series in a radio interview.". Richard Epcar during a radio interview with "91.8 The Fan". http://918thefan.com/2011/kanas-korner-interview-with-richard-epcar/. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
- ^ "Dutch Press Release: NICKELODEON TO LEAD IS STRONGEST STATION COMMERCIAL NATIONAL CHILDREN". MTV Networks. http://www.mtvnetworks.be/nl/press/articles/?id=179. Retrieved 2012-01-01. "Translation: 'In 2012 there are already lots of new series in the pipeline...In the fall are "Legends of Korra", a spinoff of the hit series Avatar, and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"...'"
- ^ a b c d e f g h "The cast announcements for The Last Airbender: Legend of Korra from WSJ". News from Wall Street Journal. 7 March 2011. http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/03/07/the-last-airbender-legend-of-korra-exclusive-cast-announcement/. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
- ^ Chris Beveridge (25 July 2011). "First Trailer For Legend of Korra". http://www.fandompost.com/2011/07/25/first-trailer-for-the-last-airbender-legend-of-korra/. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
- ^ a b Matt Goldberg (24 July 2011). "Trailer for The Last Airbender: Legend Of Korra; New Details on the Upcoming Miniseries". http://collider.com/legend-of-korra-trailer-details/104920/. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
- ^ a b c Marissa Lee (28 July 2011). "Legend of Korra Panel at ComicCon 2011". http://www.racebending.com/v4/current-diversity-highlights/the-legend-of-korra-panel-at-comiccon-2011/. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
- ^ a b c d Devindra Hardawar (24 July 2011). "The Last Airbender: Legend of Korra Trailer: Simply Stunning". http://www.slashfilm.com/the-airbender-legend-korra-trailer/. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
- ^ a b c d "The Last Airbender Legend Of Korra Panel News". July 23, 2011. pp. 1. http://avatarthelastairbenderonline.com/airbender-legend-korra-panel-news/. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
- ^ a b c d "NEWS -, Cast List For The Legend of Korra". 7 March 2011. http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/news/Cast-List-For-The-Legend-of-Korra/. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
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