The Last Airbender Sequel Wraps Filming As Director Clarifies Theatrical Release Decision

Avatar: The Last Airbender‘s new movie just got an uplifting update.

The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender has officially wrapped filming, with director Lauren Montgomery clarifying the film’s theatrical release plans. The Last Airbender movie, which was previously on Paramount’s schedule for an October 2025 release, was originally planned for theaters. However, upon changing its release to October 9, 2026, its premiere was moved to Paramount+.

Now, Montgomery has taken to Instagram to confirm production on The Legend of Aang has officially wrapped. In her post, the director praises the cast and crew for four years of dedication to the project. She also emphasizes the new movie’s high bar of quality, expressing how “This movie deserves to be seen on a big screen!!!:

Aang movie is officially wrapped. We screened the final film for the crew and celebrated the end of a 4 year journey. Now it waits in limbo until its release in October. I’ve never worked on an Avatar project that was easy and this was no different. But it was worth it. I’m so proud of everyone who was a part of this and the amazing thing we built together.
The movie is amazing!!! That might not mean much coming from the director. I might have some bias, but I feel the need to put that out there. The recent decision to move us from theatrical to streaming might give the impression that the quality wasn’t sufficient, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. This movie deserves to be seen on a big screen!!! Can’t wait for you all to see it!
Also, I’m terrible at taking pictures, but I managed to remember to take a few over the course of the night.

The Legend of Aang takes place many years after the events of the original show. Sporting a new voice cast, the film follows Team Avatar in their later years, as Aang makes a discovery that could bring airbenders back to the world. However, the group will face a number of threats on their journey, ones that could negate Fire Lord Ozai’s defeat.

The movie has been delayed twice, followed by a change from a theatrical release to one on Paramount+. Based on Montgomery’s latest post, it seems the characters in The Last Airbender will still be coming back in October, despite previous delays. It’s a good sign for the movie that its release appears to be on track.

However, discussion has abounded surrounding the film’s release, considering how it was originally supposed to come out in theaters. While Montgomery believes the movie deserves to be seen on the big screen, Paramount pulling it from theatrical release signals they believe a streaming release would benefit it more.

Had The Legend of Aang been released in theaters in October, it would have faced somewhat stiff competition at the box office. This includes the Street Fighter movie, set for release on October 16, and the DCU’s Clayface, coming out on October 23. As for family films, it would’ve competed with Wildwood, Laika’s new stop-motion movie, out on October 23.

The cast of The Legend of Aang includes Eric Nam as Aang, Dionne Quan as Toph, Jessica Matten as Katara, Román Zaragoza as Sokka, Steven Yeun as Zuko, and Dave Bautista as the villain. The movie will also include Dee Bradley Baker, Freida Pinto, Ke Huy Quan, Peta Sergeant, Geraldine Viswanathan, and Taika Waititi, though their roles have yet to be revealed.

The Legend of Aang isn’t the only Avatar project currently awaiting release. Netflix’s live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 and 3 are awaiting release, with season 2 coming out sometime in 2026. As for other animated projects, Avatar: Seven Havens season 1 arrives in 2027, following the next Avatar, Pavi, after the events of The Legend of Korra.

With The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender just seven months away from release, it won’t be long until more details about the film are released. For now, though, it appears the movie has reached its finality for production, meaning it’ll sit and wait until its release date finally arrives.

The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender comes out October 9, 2026 on Paramount+.