Posted in: Movies, Paramount+, TV | Tagged: AVATAR AANG: THE LAST AIRBENDER

Avatar: The Last Airbender Creators on "Aang" Leak, Tease New Project

Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko discuss the "Aang" hack/leak, and Konietzko teases a new Avatar Studios project in the works.

Lately, it hasn't been easy being a fan of Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko's "Avatar: The Last Airbender" franchise. After getting hit with the great news that the animated feature film Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender would hit theaters this fall, Paramount announced it would debut on its streaming service instead. Unfortunately, fans barely had enough time to process the bad news before it got a whole lot worse. Shortly after images and scenes from the film leaked, the entire film was hacked and leaked online – with those who worked on the project taking to social media to vent their frustrations and urge fans not to support it. Speaking with EW shortly after the news hit that the animated film would now be released on July 25th (and the release of an official trailer and images), DiMartino and Konietzko addressed the hack/leak – with Konietzko teasing something new in the works.

"It was a dark day when we found out that that had occurred. We were all pretty disappointed and frustrated and all the emotions. It's just one of those unfortunate things that occur in your careers, in your life. I've been through a lot of them in various ways in my life, so it's always a setback and disappointing," DiMartino shared, regarding their reaction on the day they learned that the film had been hacked and leaked. The news came as the creators were already processing that the film wouldn't be getting a theatrical release. "We were trying to be like, 'Let's make the best of this new situation, let's adapt to that,' and then it got stolen, which was just very unceremonious and abrupt and a bit rude," Konietzko added.

But with a premiere date now locked in, DiMartino is focusing on the positives. "At least for me, now that the film is ready to finally be out officially in the world, the excitement's back. "And I'm excited for everybody to finally see it in their homes, wherever they're watching, with their friends. Hopefully, people can recreate some kind of community experience because the big part about Avatar is the community," he added. And the duo isn't stopping there, with Konietzko dropping a ten-ton tease about a current project being worked on at Avatar Studios. "The Aang movie was just one of a whole slate," he shared. "I'm working on another thing, which we'll announce when the time's right."

The new film, based on the animated series created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, sees Avatar Aang, the world's last Airbender, learn of an ancient power that could save his culture from extinction. With the help of his friends, he embarks on a global quest to find it before it falls into the wrong hands and threatens to upend the peace they sacrificed everything to achieve. Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender stars Eric Nam ("Aang"), Dave Bautista ("Tagah"), Jessica Matten ("Katara"), Román Zaragoza ("Sokka"), Steven Yeun ("Zuko"), and Dionne Quan ("Toph"), alongside Freida Pinto, Ke Huy Quan, Taika Waititi, Geraldine Viswanathan, Ronny Chieng, and Ken Jeong. Dee Bradley Baker reprises his roles as Aang's beloved pets, Appa and Momo.

Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender SDCC 2026 Plans

Thursday, July 23 (1:00-2:00 pm Hall H): Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender: The ultimate return to the Four Nations arrives in Hall H! Join the voice actors and creative team behind Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender for an in-depth conversation about the making of the upcoming Paramount+ film, and what's next in the Avatar universe. Expect exclusive sneak peeks and unforgettable insights into Aang's next epic journey.

Friday, July 24 (7:00-9:20 pm Ballroom 20): Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender – Fan Screening: Enjoy an exclusive screening of Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender before it premieres on Paramount+. In this new story in the Avatar universe, journey alongside Aang and his friends as they race against time to secure an ancient power before it falls into the wrong hands, threatening to upend the peace they sacrificed everything to achieve.

Wednesday July 22 – Sunday, July 26 (Booth #3529): Avatar fans can also visit the Press Play Arcade, Paramount+'s official booth on the convention floor. The booth will feature an array of arcade-style games themed to select Paramount+ Originals, including an Avatar "Cabbage Cart Madness" game. A Comic-Con International badge is required for entry. Booth #3529.

Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender was directed by Lauren Montgomery and co-directed by Steve Ahn and William Mata. Producers include Latifa Ouaou, Maryann Garger, Bryan Konietzko, and Michael Dante DiMartino. The screenplay was written by Tim Hedrick and Christopher Yost, with the story by Bryan Konietzko, Michael Dante DiMartino, Tim Hedrick, and Kenneth Lin.

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