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Are you also a fan of Avatar: The Last Airbender? Well, then you’ve probably been holding your breath for any scraps of news about the upcoming live-action movie. It looks like your patience is about to pay off. Paramount is putting its chips on the table with Aang: The Last Airbender, and from what we’ve heard, this film is promising a whole lot more than just a quick trip down memory lane.

But don’t expect all the answers to your burning questions in one go!

A still from Avatar The Last Airbender| Credits: Nickelodeon

If you grew up in the 2000s, you were probably glued to the screen, watching Aang defy gravity, dodge fireballs, and juggle the weight of the world—literally—on his shoulders. While the franchise has seen a few spinoffs, adaptations, and live-action reboots, Aang: The Last Airbender is different.

It’s the first...

Almost twelve years back, The Legend of Korra was released on Nickelodeon Television. It is a sequel to the beloved fantasy and action animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender. Its release garnered a mixed bag of reviews and reactions.

While its predecessor was a massive hit, the sequel missed the mark in many aspects. But what it did to fans’ beloved Twinkle Toes was nothing short of treachery.

Korra in a still from the anime | Credit: Studio Mir

Of late, the series stands on neutral ground when it comes to its reviews. While it is a step away from its predecessor, its treatment of Aang’s character was nothing short of unsavory. It left an indelible mark in terms of its conception.

But like most shows, the sequel has its fair share of good, bad, and ugly aspects. And while it may not be as glorious as its precursor, it...

Avatar 3: Fire and Ash introduces a new clan of Wind Traders who, alongside other details, add to the comparisons between James Cameron's films and Avatar: The Last Airbender. The new images of Avatar 3: Fire and Ash have officially started Disney's marketing campaign for the sci-fi franchise, highlighting two key details for the third Avatar film: the introduction of a new tribe and more on the movie's main villain. Those details not only showcase the rising tensions in Pandora as a whole but amplify the connection between Cameron's films and the 2005 series that shares a similar name.

Little is still known about Avatar 3: Fire and Ash's story, but this reveal has allowed audiences to draw yet another comparison between Avatar: The Last Airbender and the Avatar franchise due to its new nomadic characters. The two projects have been connected for years, as the animated series had to...

Though the animated series of Avatar: The Last Airbender ended in 2008, Team Avatar's story continued over the years as a series of graphic novels – and one in particular, The Promise is the sequel that fans of the original TV series have been looking for. The book is a gripping, morally complex tale, which pushes Aang and the rest of Team Avatar to the next level of their character development.

Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Promise – written by Gene Yang, with art by Studio Gurihiru artist Chifuyu Sasaki – finds the TV show's beloved characters grappling with a new set of moral dilemmas, as they work to adapt to the new circumstances in the wake of the series finale. Particularly heartwrenching for long-time fans is Zuko's plot.

Fearful that he will take after his father upon becoming Firelord, makes Aang promise to end his life if any shade of evil shows itself in Zuko again.

In the modern age of streaming, very few shows last longer than a season or two. Netflix has developed perhaps the worst cancellation reputation of all streaming services. While the company commissions and produces a ton of original content every year, very little of it lasts the many years that shows often got in the old days of traditional TV. Of course, there are exceptions, and with the release of "Castlevania: Nocturne" season 2, there's a big one.

Yes, this is only the second season of "Nocturne," but if you count it as an extension of the original "Castlevania" series, it's season 6. Most sequel series are their own distinct entities, but in the case of the "Castlevania" team, many core members made the transition between the two shows. Original creator, showrunner, and writer Warren Ellis was dropped from the franchise in between the shows after allegations of misconduct, and was replaced...

The world’s largest streaming service has a comfortingly consistent ad experience across its library.

In a lot of ways, Netflix still represents some of the most foundational promises of streaming. Those promises included a much cheaper price than cable or satellite plans, and the ability to stream the TV shows and movies you loved most without having to sit through commercials.

In 2025, most of those promises have sadly gone glimmering. Even Netflix has an ad-supported plan now, its Standard with Ads option priced at $7 per month. If you’re thinking about trying Netflix with ads, check out my thoughts on the streamer’s ad experience below.

How many ads do you see while watching Netflix?

What’s the ad experience on original series?

What’s the ad experience with licensed?

What’s the ad experience like on original movies?

What’s the ad experience like with licensed movies?

Were...

After being postponed as a result of the Southern California wildfires that have leveled parts of Los Angeles this past week, the nominations for the Producers Guild Awards were announced today, with the ceremony still scheduled to take place Saturday, February 8 at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles.

Facing off this year in the category of Theatrical Motion Picture are the producers for “The Brutalist,” “A Complete Unknown, “Conclave,” “Dune: Part Two,” “Emilia Pérez,” “A Real Pain,” “September 5,” “The Substance,” and “Wicked.”

Named for one of the original producers and studio executives, a man responsible for films such as “The Jazz Singer” and “The Grapes of Wrath,” the Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures has long been considered an accurate predictor of Best Picture Oscar winners, with 14 of the past 20 recipients going on to claim the top prize at the Academy Awards, including “Oppenheimer,...

James Cameron is coming back with the long-awaited third chapter in the Avatar franchise. Avatar: Fire and Ash is going to expand the world of Pandora even further when it releases in December 2025. James Cameron is going to introduce us to a new clan of Na’vi, the Wind Traders!

A still from Avatar: The Way of Water | Credits: 20th Century Studios

However, along with the hype comes conversations and debates about the resemblance of the Wind Traders to the Air Nomads from Avatar: The Last Airbender. Is James Cameron just drawing inspiration or is he outright copying them? Let’s explore this further.

Are the Wind Traders the same as the Air Nomads? The animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender | Credits: Nickelodeon

Back in 2009 when James Cameron’s Avatar was first released, the title itself caused a lot of confusion and since he owned the rights to the name Avatar,...

From ‘Shōgun’ to Raygun, the past 12 months were jam-packed with memorable moments.

As we get going in 2025 — a year in which the ever-evolving world of streaming will undoubtedly continue to change — it is easy to forget all of the major streaming stories that defined 2024. No matter how you look at it, the past 12 months had some epic moments on and off the screen. They were jammed-packed with amazing streaming content — some that stood miles above the rest — and some that just fell flat. Read on as we break down some of the biggest trends from last year as revealed by ExpressVPN.

Sign Up $4.99 / month expressvpn.com 24 Months + 6 Months Free What were we watching?

While there were plenty of binge-worthy series to be had in 2024, some stood out more than others. At the start of the year, the Netflix sci-fi series “3 Body Problem” took us on a fantasy mind trip...

The cast of Avatar: The Last Airbender has received impressive modern-day redesigns in art that shows them sporting new outfits in contrast to the originals. The characters in Avatar: The Last Airbender are identifiable thanks to their unique designs, with everything from Aang's arrow to Zuko's scar making them memorable on top of the show's stellar writing. Their outfits are also reflective of the more ancient time period the show takes place in, pulling inspiration from centuries-old cultures in the clothing styles and worldbuilding. This gives the series a unique identity that has also evolved as new additions have arisen.

Now, Final-Watch-2661 on r/MidJourney has created new designs for the cast of Avatar: The Last Airbender, with art that shows them with more modern-day redesigns. Some of these include aspects that fit the present day more, such as Aang wearing an orange jacket, Toph in shorts, and everyone wearing 21st century shoes.

Picture this: it’s January 2005. The world has just met the Fockers, Mariah Carey‘s “We Belong Together” has real estate atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and Nickelodeon is preparing to embark on its most ambitious endeavor yet, Zoey 101. Led by Jamie Lynn Spears and Sean Flynn, Zoey 101 was the start of a new era at the kid’s programming network — and it premiered 20 years ago today on January 9, 2005. Classic coming-of-age series like Hey Arnold! and As Told By Ginger had wrapped up production the year prior, and the network was gearing up for a new chapter that included ambitious world-building and teen-centric series like Avatar: The Last Airbender, which debuted in 2005, and iCarly, which began production in 2006. Amid this turn, Zoey 101 appeared and brought the insanity of boarding school to the homes of preteens worldwide. The four-season story follows Zoey Brooks (Spears) as she exits the arms of her...

Sakamoto Days, one of 2025's most anticipated anime releases, is finally just around the corner. Available for streaming exclusively on Netflix beginning January 11, 2025, fans will soon be able to experience all the action that has made Yuto Suzuki's original manga a Weekly Shōnen Jump mega-hit. With only days to go before the premiere, Netflix has released another new trailer for the series, and finally revealed the star-studded cast responsible for the series' English dub.

Featuring a few familiar voices in the industry, as well as those from actors best known for their on-screen performances, Sakamoto Days' English dub will be one fans won't want to miss. The new trailer offers just a glimpse of some of the explosive action the series will be offering, while showcasing the mixture of comedic and dramatic tones that have come to define the manga. The newest trailer can be found here.

Sakamoto Days...

Miya Cech's Toph will have some character changes when she debuts in Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender. 

After bending its way into fans' hearts in early 2024, the live-action Airbender is coming back to TV screens with an adaptation of the animated original's beloved second season (aka "Book Two: Earth"). 

As a part of this new adventure, Aang, Katara, and Sokka will cross paths with a spunky young Earthbender named Toph who is set to help the Avatar learn her ground-shaping abilities. 

Read full article on The Direct.

The Directors Guild of America (DGA) has announced the list of TV nominees for its 77th Annual DGA Awards. The list shows some of the best work that streaming services and traditional networks have done in various areas, such as limited series, variety shows, reality shows, and children’s programs.

HBO’s “The Penguin” has received three nominations in the Movies for Television and Limited Series category, making it a strong candidate. People praised directors Kevin Bray, Jennifer Getzinger, and Helen Shaver for their work on shows such as “Top Hat,” “A Great or Little Thing,” and “Cent’anni.”

Steven Zaillian and Alfonso Cuarón are two well-known filmmakers who stand out in other areas. You can vote for Zaillian to direct Netflix’s “Ripley,” and you can vote for Cuarón to direct Apple TV+’s “Disclaimer.” These nominations show how streaming services are becoming more important in elite TV directing.

There...

Magic: The Gathering may have stealthily revealed an upcoming collaboration with the Avatar: The Last Airbender franchise. In 2025, Wizards of the Coast will release seven Magic: The Gathering sets, beginning with Innistrad Remastered in late January. Wizards has revealed six of the seven sets so far. Innistrad Remastered, Aetherdrift, Tarkir: Dragonstorm, and Edge of Eternities will all take place in various official Magic: The Gathering planes, while the Final Fantasy franchise and Marvel's Spider-Man will be represented in Universes Beyond sets. Also in the works is a third Universes Beyond set, featuring an unknown IP.

A new theory suggests that this unknown Magic: The Gathering set will feature the Avatar: The Last Airbender franchise. The theory notes that Wizards has been teasing upcoming Magic sets via Daily Deal sales on Magic: The Gathering Arena, with the last daily deal referencing Avatar: The Last Airbender. While the theory may seem farfetched,...

Netflix is currently hard at work on a new season of Avatar: The Last Airbender, its live-action remake of the beloved animated series. The first season of Netflix's adaptation divided fans, but it was successful enough to get renewed for a second and third season, meaning the cast and crew will get to tell the whole story of how Aang, the last airbender, saves the world with the help of his friends.

Season 2 will introduce the last core member of his group: a young, blind earth-bender named Toph. In a show full of colorful characters, Toph may top them all: she's bold, fearless and hilarious, a 12-year-old so tough she sends grown men twice her age screaming out of the wrestling ring; and yes, Netflix has cast someone for that faux pro-wrestling scene.

But making the jump from animation to live-action means changes. To play Toph, Netflix has cast Miya Cech,...

Sony is gearing up for a Horizon Zero Dawn movie. In the world of gaming, movies based on video games are nothing new; for example, Hitman: Agent 47, Mortal Kombat, Uncharted, and many more. Now it seems Guerrilla Games is also following the same footsteps.

Horizon Zero Dawn was released in 2017. | Credit: Guerrilla Games.

Horizon itself is a massive franchise for Sony. The first installment of the sci-fi action RPG series was released in 2017 and has since become a popular name in the gaming fraternity. So, Sony thought, why just restrict itself to the gaming world and not let it expand into the silver screens? However, some uncanny similarities with another famous movie franchise might get the upcoming movie in some bit of trouble.

Horizon Zero Dawn movie is now officially announced Horizon Zero Dawn will surface on the silver screen very soon. | Credit: Guerrilla Games.

Sony has just announced...

Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender live-action series has sparked intense discussions among the fans, especially when it is regarding the portrayal of beloved characters. Miya Cech, who plays Toph Beifong has taken it up on herself and has addressed some of these concerns, revealing exciting details about her version of the long-time fan-favorite earthbender.

Toph from Avatar: The Last Airbender || Nickelodeon

While Toph’s essence and character remains intact, viewers can expect notable changes that reflect the adaptation’s fresh direction, for one, the appearance will be different with Miya Cech being older than the character of Toph in Avatar.

Cech confirmed that her portrayal of Toph will maintain the character’s trademark attitude and cool spunky style. Fans will still see the fearless, no-nonsense personality that made Toph iconic at the time from the animated series. However, Cech also noted that this version of Toph will be “a little bit older,...

The main protagonists of anime rarely have living or present parental figures, like Eren Yeager’s father, Grisha, or Naruto’s father, Minato. It’s become a noticeable trend that these characters’ tragic stories stem from their parents, either by the loss, abuse, or neglect they faced.

Some of these protagonists go on to become parents themselves and because of the significant lack of parental figures don’t know how to be one. A prime example is Goku. He wasn’t raised by his parents and thus, became a rather absent one for Gohan and Goten.

Goku, Gohan, and Goten use Family Kamehameha in Dragon Ball. [Credit: Toei Animation]

Despite his absenteeism, he’s not a terrible father. He just had a more passive role in their life since he tends to prioritize fighting and holds the duty of protecting Earth close to him.

American cartoons, on the other hand, cultivate...

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What's the best superhero TV show? Satirical gorefest "The Boys" has been a smash hit, and in 2024, Marvel Studios released one of its best projects ever with "X-Men '97." But for a lot of other geeks, the answer to this question is still one of the classics.

For as much stock as you can put in IMDb, the site's list of highest user-rated TV shows puts "Batman: The Animated Series" in 24th place. With a rating of 9/10, it's the highest ranking superhero program on the list. "Batman" is also the sixth-highest ranking animated series after "Avatar: The Last Airbender" (which also featured Mark Hamill voicing a super-villain), "Bluey," "Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood," "Rick and Morty," and "Attack on Titan."

Created by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski, "Batman: The Animated Series" debuted in 1992 and ran for 85 episodes. The show spawned a whole DC Animated Universe,...

The giants of the anime and manga industry, One Piece and Naruto, have been at the top of every fan’s list for the longest time. Their creators, Eiichiro Oda, and Masashi Kishimoto, have developed intriguing narratives that have managed to stay relevant for decades and are still preferred by many fans over other new-age anime and manga series.

One Piece | Credit: Studio Pierrot

This in a way gives a hint about the loyal fanbase that the two series have built over the years that often argue over which of the two stories is better. While some lean towards One Piece being the greatest anime and manga series of all time, others prefer the enticing world of Shinobis that has been portrayed in Naruto. And recently the two fandoms got into another debate.

This time the debate was about the world-building in both One Piece and Naruto. Naruto fans believe...

Toph will not be quite the same character in Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender adaptation. With Avatar season 2 in development, the show is preparing to introduce a variety of new characters to its roster. That includes Kelemete Misipeka as the Boulder, Crystal Yu as Lady Beifong, and Miya Cech as Toph. They will take up their roles alongside returning cast members Gordon Cormier (Aang), Dallas Liu (Zuko), Kiawentiio (Katara), Ian Ousley (Sokka), and other stars. The release date has not yet been announced.

While Toph's casting generated excitement, Miya Cech is looking to temper some expectations. In footage provided by the Editor-in-Chief of Knight Edge Media, Caleb Williams on Twitter, Cech spoke about major changes to Toph's character. Cech says that Toph will be a much older character. While she will still be "spunky" and will call Aang "Twinkle Toes" as often as ever, she will not be quite...

First came Avatar: The Last Airbender, an animated series that ran for three seasons from 2005-2008, about a young boy named Aang with spectacular powers destined to unite a fantasy world at war. Then there was The Legend of Korra, which ran for four seasons from 2012 to 2014; this one followed Aang's successor, who got his powers when he died.

Then the series lay quiet until last year, when Netflix debuted a new live-action remake of the original show. Also, the guys behind the original series — Bryan Konietzko and Mike Dimartin — formed Avatar Studios, which will work on new animated projects; they're already working on a movie about a grown-up Aang due out in January of 2026. Suddenly, The Last Airbender universe is busier than it's ever been.

Avatar Studios has several projects in development beyond the Aang movie. According to Knight Edge Media, one of them is a whole new Avatar...

Daniel Dae Kim, known for his work in The Good Doctor and Joy Ride (and most recently as Firelord Ozai on Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender adaptation) spoke about his evolving career and cultural connections during an interview at the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. As a juror at the international event, Kim expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity to witness diverse talent from the region and reflected on his role in fostering global collaborations.

In a conversation with Deadline Studio, Kim recounted how his role in Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender has introduced him to a younger audience. "It’s been exciting to connect with a new generation of fans," he shared. The series has bolstered his already significant appeal, granting him what he humorously referred to as a newfound "cool" factor.

Serving on the festival jury for the second time in his career,...

After an impressive 2024, Netflix plans to cultivate even more success in 2025 with the return of some of its most popular shows, starting in January. In a world where streaming has become the supreme way to consume media, Netflix remains on top. The platform laid the groundwork for streaming dominance, with many others following in its footsteps in the past decade or so. Streaming has just continued to grow and succeed, which won't stop anytime soon based on Netflix's 2025 lineup of TV shows alone.

Some of Netflix's biggest shows in 2024 were Bridgerton, Outer Banks, 3 Body Problem, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Heartstopper, Baby Reindeer, and Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (per Netflix by Tudum).

Netflix is the biggest streaming service in the world, and that is unlikely to change anytime in the near future. While Netflix has been criticized for prematurely canceling original shows, the company still produces some...

2024 is basically over at this point, so we've already started looking to 2025. It's going to be a big year for Netflix with so many highly anticipated releases, such as Stranger Things season 5, Wednesday season 2, The Night Agent season 2, Cobra Kai season 6 part 3, You season 5 and much more.

However, some beloved Netflix shows won't be returning in the new year for various reasons. We're talking about shows like Bridgerton, Outer Banks, 3 Body Problem etc. Then, there are some Netflix series that could come back with new seasons in 2025, but we're not totally sure. Obviously, we would want to see these shows as soon as possible, but it all depends on how long the filmmaking process takes and Netflix.

If the cast and crew can't finish the filmmaking process in time for a show to make a 2025 release, then we won't see it until the next year or possibly even later,...

Avatar: The Last Airbender is one of the most iconic and popular series that made waves since its premiere and it only went on to garner popularity and traction for its riveting storyline. But what’s enthralling about the series are its characters.

From Toph to Zuko, the series highlighted some of the well-written characters. Be it strength, humor, or wisdom, the writers left no stone unturned in fleshing them out and this is also the case with Azula.

Azula in a still from the anime | Credit: Nickelodeon Animation Studio

Her unprecedented hatred for Zuko along with her father’s favoritism toward her makes her one of the despicable characters in the show. But her actions are rooted in her parents’ neglect, manipulation, and abuse.

Amidst the hatred, though, several fans have empathized with her character. Her trajectory is reflective of pain, abandonment, and suffering which proves why she deserves a second chance.

In a cast blessed with talent, Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra were headed by a strong voice cast. Dante Basco as Prince Zuko and Makoto Iwamatsu as General Iroh are some of the more memorable ones, but every actor breathed life into their characters.

In more subtle but impactful roles were surprising and prominent celebrities, some of who aren’t known for the voice acting industry at all. The diverse personalities and roles allowed for many more opportunities for these cameos to arise from different careers and unite fanbases together.

Team Avatar in Avatar: The Last Airbender. [Credit: Nickelodeon]

This invited the world of sports into the Avatar universe as many athletes are fans of the show. Serena Williams, the former tennis player and considered one of the greatest in her field, actually voiced not one but two characters overall.

Guest voice actors in the Avatar universe...

Spoiler Alert !!!Spoilers ahead for Chapter 1135 of One Piece!

Different animated series are bound to inspire each other but in this unexpected move, Eiichiro Oda seems to have been inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender. In the latest chapter of One Piece, the head librarian of the Owl Library in Elbaph is none other than a great owl named Bibelot.

He mirrors a certain spirit in the Nickelodeon show. Wan Shi Tong, who has spent centuries collecting knowledge for his Spirit Library, is speculated to be the inspiration for Bibelot. Their appearance as owls is the only true connection, but One Piece has referenced other pop cultures before.

Wan Shi Tong from Avatar: The Last Airbender. [Credit: Nickelodeon]

Since Oda is more than comfortable referencing celebrities and Studio Ghibli icons in One Piece, it’s not ridiculous to think he was inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender. Wan Shi Tong is an...

Ever since Sonic the Hedgehog hit the big screen, video game adaptations have seen an increase in quality. These adaptations are no longer just successful as standalone productions; they also excel in representing their source material. Beyond Sonic, titles like The Last of Us, Arcane, and Fallout have succesfully adapted from games to screen. Similarly, movies such as Lucasfilm has expanded their universes into games with the Star Wars Jedi games and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Adaptations today not simply adapt, but also enrich the original universes.

Like all adaptations, creators have the liberty to reimagine the source material to varying degrees. For now, the focus will be on whether or not it keeps familiar elements and whether or not it keeps a familiar story. A familiar element is not just names taken from the source, but also what are often considered the essential elements like lore, characters traits and struggles.

The criminally underrated Netflix original, The Dragon Prince, has been airing since 2018. Though it hasn't reached the heights of fantasy classics like Avatar: The Last Airbender, it deserves a bigger following. The Dragon Prince chronicles the story of the two young princes, Callum and Ezran, and the Moonshadow Elf Rayla as they attempt to bring peace to the warring nations of Xadia. When the trio comes into possession of the dragon egg that will hatch and become the titular dragon prince, they band together and set off on an epic quest to save the world.

The Dragon Prince isn't similar to Dungeons & Dragons because they both use dragons, but because of the scale and intricacies of their worlds. D&d fans will appreciate the different cultures and magics within The Dragon Prince and the serialized nature of the story. Although The Dragon Prince is ending with season 7, it's not too late...

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"The Legend of Korra" concluded its fourth and final season 10 years ago today. It's not as universally loved a series as its predecessor, "Avatar: The Last Airbender," which is often held as a crowning achievement of American children's animation and epic fantasy. With those big shoes, "The Legend of Korra" was never going to completely fill them, but it still has great episodes and many fans — I'm one of them.

The show's greatest legacy is and will probably continue to be how it pushed boundaries for LGBTQ+ representation. Previously, out queer characters were verboten in America children's media, but "Korra" went as far as it could in Book 4, when Korra (Janet Varney) falls in love with her friend Asami Sato (Seychelle Gabriel). The series ends with them holding hands and staring into each other's eyes; you get the feeling that...

The craze for One Piece live-action has been going strong ever since the series was released on Netflix in 2023. Being probably the first successful anime live-action adaptation, Netflix’s One Piece managed to break many records and also became the motivator for other prominent live-action adaptations like Avatar: The Last Airbender and Yu Yu Hakusho.

One Piece live-action | Credit: Netflix

The creators managed to continue the excitement for One Piece live-action by introducing the vast array of new cast members who are going to join the series for the second season. These cast members have taken on the roles of the most popular One Piece characters, like Crocodile, Smoker, Nico Robin, etc., which has led to fans anticipating another successful season of the series.

However, fans have not stopped there. After seeing the magnificent cast that is going to join the One Piece live-action, they decided to fancast some of...

The Unforgettable Gala, an end-of-year award celebration that honors the Api community’s brightest talents in entertainment, arts and culture, held its 2024 ceremony at the Beverly Hilton over the weekend.

Co-hosted by Stephanie Hsu, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Jr De Guzman, the awards ceremony’s 2024 theme was “unforgettable together” and featured one-of-a-kind segments and performances. The event was produced by GoldenTV and Character Media.

Shogun star Hiroyuki Sanada was honored with the global icon award, while his co-star Anna Sawai was presented with the actor in TV honor. Sawai was unable to attend in person, but the Emmy-winning actress sent in a video thanking the crowd for the honor. Unforgettable also honored the cast of Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender with the vanguard award, with much of the young cast in attendance.

GoldenTV CEO Takashi Cheng previously told The Hollywood Reporter that the gala continuously brings visibility to talent who...

With FX’s “Shōgun” winning 18 primetime and creative arts Emmys (the most ever for a single TV season), Netflix’s live-action “Avatar: The Last Airbender” racking billions of minutes viewed, and the indie coming-of-age story “Didi” receiving four Independent Spirit Award nominations, Asian and Asian American-led productions enjoyed a well-earned list of Hollywood successes in 2024, as celebrated at Saturday’s star-studded Unforgettable: The 22nd annual Asian American Awards at the Beverly Hilton.

“I’m feeling the Hollywood doors open wider than 20 years ago, when I came here for the first time,” Hiroyuki Sanada, who was honored Saturday as a “global icon,” told Variety.

“Step by step, they are understanding our culture. Especially like ‘Shōgun,’ they respect our culture,” Sanada said. “It’s a great steppingstone for the next generation. I feel more comfortable, year by year. I want to introduce Asian talent for stories to the world as a producer,...

The Unforgettable Gala’s (Unfo) 22nd annual Asian American Awards returned to the Beverly Hills Hilton on Dec 14 to honor and highlight the growing diversity, intersectionality and social awareness initiatives across the entertainment industry and beyond.

98 Degrees at Unfo 2024

Produced by Character Media and GoldenTV, the Unfo is the leading and longest-running Asian American awards ceremony that recognizes breakout talent and distinguished artisans across the broad spectrum of the Aapi and Api community. GoldenTV CEO Takashi Cheng explained in a statement, “Every year, we come together to honor the incredible Api talent that continues to push boundaries and break down barriers in Hollywood and beyond. This year’s honorees represent the breadth and depth of Api excellence across entertainment, arts and culture.

Co-hosted by actors Stephanie Hsu and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and comedian Jr De Guzman, the three-hour awards show featured highlight reels of Aapi history, honoree speeches and performances from The Jets,...

Nick and Vanessa Lachey strike a pose on the red carpet at the 2024 Unforgettable Gala held at The Beverly Hilton on Saturday (December 14) in Beverly Hills, Calif.

The couple were in attendance at the annual event, celebrating the Asian American Awards, which honor the past year’s successes from “Asian and Pacific Islander celebrities, influencers and leaders who have contributed to the arts, entertainment and culture.”

Nick and his 98 Degrees bandmates Drew Lachey, Jeff Timmons and Justin Jeffre hit the stage as one of the performers for the night, as was K-pop sensation Wonho.

Keep reading to find out more…

Among this year’s honorees include Anna Sawai, Izaac Wang, Hoz Xuande, Joan Chen, Vivian Tu and the cast of Avatar: The Last Airbender!

The 2024 Unforgettable Gala will air nationwide on ChimeTV on Wednesday (December 18) and will be available to watch on-demand via GoldenTV.

Keep scrolling below to see all...

Much like live-action movies and TV, the question of the single best anime, or the single most popular anime, is a complicated one. For many people, the anime that made them fans of the medium will always have a special place in their heart. That goes double for shows with a high number of episodes, because that kind of commitment must mean the series is good, right? There's also the unfortunate fact that older titles aren't easily accessible and therefore not widely known unless you track down a very expensive physical copy or pirate it. For instance, "Neon Genesis Evangelion" is widely considered one of the best works of anime ever, but it was virtually unwatchable until a few years ago when Netflix licensed it, meaning you were unlikely to find it in many top anime lists.

All this is to say, it's both surprising and expected that the best...

Almost every time Robert Zemeckis called cut on a scene in Here, Tom Hanks would run back to the playback monitors. The veteran actor had been on dozens of sets through his 40-year career but nothing like this.

On Here, he plays a character whose arc is traced from high school to senior citizen with the help of a generative AI tool from VFX studio Metaphysic. For every shot he was going to be de-aged, there were two monitors. One showed what the cameras were capturing. The other showed him in the scenes at various ages in real time, as if he came straight from shoots on Splash or Saving Private Ryan. After seeing the takes, he would adjust his physicality to walk with a bit more spring in his step or appear stiffer getting up off the couch, depending on his age in the scene.

Rewind just a couple of years,...

The world of animated TV shows is full of brilliant, wise, and caring mentor figures who serve as valuable positive influences on both the lives of the characters they teach and the viewers who watch them. In many cases, the wisest cartoon characters fulfill the role of a teacher, mentor, or father figure in the story, taking in the protagonist under their wing to gently guide them to a better tomorrow. Though their methods may be unorthodox, these characters provide profound lessons to their mentees, with some of their advice being good enough to absorb for real life.

The best animated mentors in TV can come from a variety of different sources. Though primarily aimed at children, Western animation can occasionally bridge the gap with adults by including life lessons from characters whose wisdom can't be denied. Of course, the longest-running anime series have long provided similar mentor figures in...

If there’s one thing that makes for a good cosplay, it's an iconic character, and Zuko from Avatar: The Last Airbender definitely fits that description. The best characters for cosplay are immediately recognizable by a few key features that can then be reimagined according to each cosplayer’s artistry. The great number of beautiful Zuko cosplays that can be found on the Internet or strolling around conventions all over the world are also a testament to the longevity of the Avatar: The Last Airbender fandom, as well as its continuous creativity and engagement.

The show created by Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante Dimartino first aired in 2005, and Zuko has been a pretty prominent part of the story ever since the beginning. He went from being an antagonist to a trusted ally of Avatar Aang and his friends, in a beautifully written character arc that viewers can’t wait to...

The Producers Guild of America has revealed nominees in the children’s, short form and sports categories for its upcoming awards. Winners will be announced at the PGA awards ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 8 in Los Angeles.

The 2024 Producers Guild Awards nominees in the children’s, short form and sports categories are listed below.

Outstanding Children’s Program

“Avatar: The Last Airbender”

“Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock”

“Percy Jackson and the Olympians”

“Sesame Street”

“SpongeBob SquarePants”

Outstanding Short-Form Program

“The Crown: Farewell To A Royal Epic”

“Hacks: Bit By Bit”

“The Penguin: Inside Gotham”

“Real Time with Bill Maher: Overtime”

“Shōgun – The Making of Shōgun”

Outstanding Sports Program

“Formula 1: Drive to Survive”

“Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants”

“Messi’s World Cup: The Rise of a Legend”

“Simone Biles Rising”

“Triumph: Jesse Owens and the Berlin Olympics”

Nominees for the remaining categories, which include Theatrical Motion Pictures,...

Thanks to the PGA Awards, we’re going to get that SpongeBob vs. Snuffleupagus showdown we’ve been waiting for.

The Producers Guild of America on Thursday announced nominations in the categories of Best Children’s Program, Best Short Form Program, and Best Sports Program.

The children’s lineup for the 36th Producers Guild Awards will pit the aforementioned pineapple-dwelling star of “SpongeBob SquarePants” against the Muppets of “Sesame Street.” The rest of the category includes “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” “Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock,” and “Percy Jackson and the Olympians.” At last year’s gala, “Sesame Street” claimed this trophy against an entirely different crop of co-nominees.

The short-form category features behind-the-scenes looks at some of your favorite scripted shows, including “The Crown,” “Hacks,” “The Penguin,” “Real Time With Bill Maher,” and “Shōgun.” Two of those programs — “Hacks” and “Shōgun” — just won major Emmy Awards for comedy and drama,...

The Producers Guild of America has unveiled its first round of 2025 PGA Awards nominees. The category of Outstanding Producer of Documentary Motion Pictures was announced on December 10, 2024, with the Children’s Program, Short-Form Program, and Sports Program categories being announced three days later. The ceremony will take place on February 8, 2025 at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles, California.

Comprised of more than 8,400 producers, the guild first nominated six documentaries for the Outstanding Producer of Documentary Motion Pictures category. The selected films are in the process of being vetted for individual producer eligibility.

The previous ceremony awarded Lauren Domino, Matthew Heineman, and Joedan Okun with the Outstanding Producer of Documentary Motion Picture for “American Symphony.” In 2023, “Navalny” producers Odessa Rae, Diane Becker, Melanie Miller, and Shane Boris were honored with the PGA Award and went on to win the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

The 36th annual PGA Awards...

Flashbacks de cuando Hughie perdió a su novia… solo que esta vez podría salvarla. © Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures ha presentado hoy el primer tráiler y póster de Novocaine, un thriller de acción de los directores Dan Berk y Robert Olsen (Villanos) y escrito por Lars Jacobson.

En Novocaine, cuando la chica de sus sueños (Midthunder) es secuestrada, Nate (Quaid), un chico corriente, convierte su incapacidad para sentir dolor en una fuerza inesperada en su lucha por recuperarla.

La película está protagonizada por la estrella de The Boys, Jack Quaid. Completan el reparto Amber Midthunder (Avatar: The last airbender), Ray Nicholson (Smile 2), Betty Gabriel (Manhunt), Matt Walsh (Ted), Lou Beatty Jr. (A Million Little Things), Evan Hengst (Suidooster), Conrad Kemp (Chasing the Sun) y Jacob Batalon (Lift).

Novocaine se estrena en cines el 14 de marzo.

¡Os dejamos con el primer tráiler y póster de la película!

TRÁILER:

PÓSTER:

© Paramount Pictures

¡SÍGUENOS!

/Film can confirm that "Universal Monsters: The Mummy" — a reimagining of 1932's "The Mummy" starring Boris Karloff — is rising up and shambling into comic shops next year.

This new mini-series is the fourth and latest horror comic partnership between Skybound Entertainment & Image Comics and Universal Products and Experiences. Since 2023, Skybound has been publishing a "Universal Monsters" thematic series that lets horror comic superstars reimagine the Universal Monsters across four issue mini-series. In keeping with the branding, the stories and monsters are styled specifically after the original 1930s Universal Horror iterations.

The first Skybound "Universal Monsters" comic was "Dracula" by writer James Tynion IV and artist Martin Simmonds. Next was "The Creature From The Black Lagoon Lives" by Dan Watters, Ram V, and artist Matthew Roberts." "Frankenstein" (written and drawn by Michael Walsh) wrapped up this past November and so "The Mummy" is the logical next choice.

"Universal Monsters: The Mummy...

When it comes to TV, the IMDb rating system is a little strange. For instance, TV episodes tend to have a higher rating range than movies; whereas the #1 movie ever on the platform, "Shawshank Redemption," has a 9.2 rating, it's not uncommon for TV episodes to get a 9.9 rating. Or, in the case of the "Breaking Bad" episode "Ozymandias," it even reached a full 10 out of 10.

There are some other quirks to look out for, like how the early episodes of a lot of shows are rated deceptively low. Why is the first episode of "The Bear" only rated a 7.6, for instance, whereas later episodes of the show are rated much higher? In this case, I don't think it's because the opening episodes were worse in quality, but that the audience members who didn't vibe with the series simply stopped watching after the first few episodes, and were no longer around...

The collection is stuffed with TV episodes and movies that will help put you in the spirit of the season.

Almost every streaming service has at least a small selection of holiday titles to watch, but as Christmas approaches many are putting their best, most festive feet forward. Paramount+ has rolled out its new “Tis the Season for Streaming” collection now, allowing subscribers to watch a specially curated lineup of TV shows and movies with Christmas and holiday themes.

Key Details: “Tis the Season for Streaming” is stuffed tighter than a stocking with hundreds of titles. Fans will find the new original movie “Dear Santa” within the collection. The collection offers a total of 20 specially selected content rows. 7-Day Free Trial $7.99+ / month paramountplus.com

“Tis the Season for Streaming” is live now, and available in the “Collections” tab of Paramount+. Subscribers to both the ad-supported Essential tier for $8 per month,...

The Flintstones movie wasn’t well-received by critics when it hit theaters in 1994, but 30 years later, it looks surprisingly great compared to today’s soulless live-action remakes of classic animation. Executive-produced by Steven Spielberg, The Flintstones adapts the iconic Hanna-Barbera cartoon about suburban cavemen into live-action. John Goodman stars as Fred Flintstone alongside Rick Moranis as his best friend Barney Rubble and Elizabeth Perkins as his wife Wilma. Although it was a huge box office success, The Flintstones was met with mostly negative reviews from critics.

It has a dismal “rotten” score of 23% on Rotten Tomatoes, and publications like The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Rolling Stone named it as one of the worst movies of 1994. At the time, The Flintstones was considered a cinematic embarrassment. Goodman begged Spielberg not to make a Flintstones sequel, despite the first film’s blockbuster success at the box office, so he...

By now, you probably know that Netflix has an incredible lineup of new shows coming in 2025. Unfortunately, that also means that there will be a few big, popular Netflix shows not coming in 2025. Instead, those shows will be bumped to 2026.

Normally, this list of Netflix shows that won't be returning in a new year is a lot longer. Because of some of the production pipeline issues, this year was a bit of a quiet year by Netflix standards. In 2025, there are so many big, hit Netflix shows returning for new seasons, so there will be a lot more new shows than in a normal year. We're talking about new seasons of Stranger Things, Wednesday, Squid Game, Ginny and Georgia, and many more!

On top of that, there are so many Netflix shows that are either filming right now or start filming in early 2025. It's too early to say if we'll...