Long ago, the four nations lived in harmony, until fans were left waiting nearly two decades for an Avatar: The Last Airbender movie worthy of its legacy. That long wait may finally be paying off. With Nickelodeon expanding its Avatar universe on multiple fronts, including the upcoming animated series Avatar: Seven Havens and Netflix’s live-action adaptation renewed for seasons two and three, the third major piece of the franchise’s revival is now gaining steam: an animated theatrical movie by Paramount Pictures.
Per Variety, Steven Yeun has joined the voice cast of the film, marking a high-profile addition to a project that has been kept mostly under wraps. His character remains unnamed, and it’s unclear which of the four nations he will represent. While Yeun previously voiced Avatar Wan in The Legend of Korra, no connections have been confirmed between that character and his upcoming role.
Yeun’s casting joins an ensemble that already includes Dave Bautista, Eric Nam, and Dionne Quan. While it’s confirmed that the story will follow Avatar Aang and his friends in a post-series setting, the role of Aang has yet to be officially cast. Zach Tyler Eisen, who voiced Aang in the original series, has not been announced as returning, suggesting a new voice may be stepping into the role.
Since Avatar: The Last Airbender premiered in 2005, its impact was immediate and far-reaching, praised for storytelling that appealed to both younger viewers and adults. Following the end of the original series, The Legend of Korra picked up the mantle with a new Avatar, new political dynamics, and a more modern world, expanding the franchise’s reach and tone. But despite the series’ popularity and multiple attempts at adaptations, the property has never had a theatrically released animated film — until now.
Yeun’s recent work has only added to his reputation as one of the most versatile performers of his generation. After delivering a breakout voice role in Amazon Prime Video’s Invincible and turning in acclaimed performances in films like Minari and Burning, he most recently appeared in Bong Joon-ho’s Mickey 17, again flexing his ability to shift between grounded emotional roles and large-scale storytelling.
Paramount and Nickelodeon Animation have not released a title for the upcoming film, but anticipation is already building. A franchise that began with a 12-year-old monk frozen in ice for a hundred years is finally breaking the surface again, and this time, it’s on the big screen.
The untitled Avatar: The Last Airbender film will open in cinemas on 30 January 2026.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace.
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