Twenty years after the release of theAvatar: The Last Airbendercartoon, Netflix’sAvatarremake could make many fans’ dreams come true by bringing one divisive Zuko story to life.Netflix’sAvatar: The Last Airbenderhas made many changes, taking artistic liberties that remix the original story.
Considering the live-actionAvatar: The Last AirbenderTV show was already renewed for seasons 2and 3, there are bound to be many more changes. While large divergences from the source material give me pause, the Netflix show could bring one divisive Zuko storyline, which even the OG actor wanted, to the small screen.
Dante Basco Is A Zuko & Katara Shipper
The OG Zuko Actor Wanted To See A Zutara Romance
Dante Basco, who played Zuko in the original cartoon, could be president of the Zutara (the Zuko and Katara ship name) fan club with how much he loves that pairing. He’s been vocal about it for quite some time. This was never more clear than when I attended the Denver Fan Expo 2025 panel “Mastering the Elements with the Cast of Avatar: The Last Airbender” on Screen Rant’s behalf.
Dante Basco was asked if he could add any one episode, what would it be? He said he wanted Zuko and Katara to have a moment, referencing the time they spent together in the cave. He agreed that they weren’t endgame, but equated it to having a fling before getting together with your soulmate.
Netflix’s Avatar Remake Could Finally Fulfill A Zuko & Katara Romance
Zuko & Katara Could Have A Romantic Moment In The Live-Action TV Show
There are very few changes they could make to the original cartoon that I would welcome with open arms. However, Zuko and Katara having more of a romance inNetflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbenderwould actually be okay with me. There’s also a good chance that Netflix’s Avatar remake would consider the possibility for two big reasons.
Dante Basco already pointed out the perfect moment for Katara and Zuko to have a romantic moment.
Firstly,the Zutara ship is popular, and the two characters have chemistry. The two having at least one romantic moment would be a good bit of fan service. Plus, Dante Basco already pointed out the perfect moment for Katara and Zuko to have a romantic moment.
On top of that, some fans have expressed their discomfort with Katara and Aang’s romance, considering theages of the actors in Netflix’sAvatarremakewho play Katara and Aang. As of the time of writing,Kiawentiio (Katara) is now 19, and Gordon Cormier (Aang) is 15, almost 16 years old. This wouldn’t be as big of an issue with Zuko and Katara’s actors, as Dallas Liu (Zuko) is 23.
Katara & Aang Still Need To Be Endgame (If Netflix’s Avatar Remake Has One)
The OG Couple Might Be Difficult To Make Happen
The romantic relationship betweenKatara and Aang is central toAvatar: The Last Airbender, but the issue becomes complicated when it comes to the live-action Netflix adaptation. Given the age gap between the two actors, I would be okay with them waiting until the very end of the series to lay the groundwork for Aang and Katara.
If the actors are uncomfortable with kissing, which is entirely valid, they can opt for an alternative approach, such as having Katara and Aang hold hands or hug to show affection. After all, the characters are still age-appropriate for one another, even if the actors’ ages are an issue.
I would even understand if they removed the romantic component altogether, having no endgame. Instead, Katara and Aang would just be best friends. However, changing Avatar: The Last Airbender’s endgame to Katara and Zuko would be too much, as far as I’m concerned.
Not addressing the Katara and Aang romance in theAvatar: The Last Airbenderremake is very different from rejecting it. Zutara wouldn’t fit within the larger franchise, in which Aang and Katara are always endgame.
