So with the new Avatar series starting, does Mattel still have the license?
So the first two episodes of the follow up series to Avatar the Last Airbender are now online. They look pretty good. They managed to find a nice balance where the series is recognizable as a being in the same world as the earlier series but making it seem more modern.
I also like the fact that very few of the characters from the first series are still around. But by having a select few of them around, it should leave the door open to occasionally revisit those characters through flashbacks.
So now the question is, does Mattel still hold the license and are they or whoever does hold it going to try to merchandise the new series? I suppose that a new line from Mattel is out of the question since they would have to make an Avatar line with no main character since this version is a female.
Pretty sure Mattel let that expire. Spin Master had the movie license so maybe they'll go for a Korra line? Their figures weren't great and didn't sell so well so maybe someone else will go for it. I'd kinda like to see Bandai give it a shot. The joints wouldn't be painted, but the sculpts would be decent enough and we'd get female characters.
BTW, for people who haven't heard, the first two episodes of the Legend of Korra are live on KorraNation.com (second video), weeks ahead of its TV debut.
Emerje
MyFigureCollection.net - Most of my Japanese figures
Associate Editor for Tomopop.com
Female lead character? Watch American companies avoid this show like the plague.
Unfortunately, both Mattel's cartoon line and SpinMaster's movie line were total disasters at retail. I love the property, but I really don't see any companies going after the license for the new series unless it's crazy successful. 
Probably true, but it's hard to blame the cartoon for that. The Mattel figures were pretty nice for the most part, but not offering female characters hurt a lot. They still seemed to sell pretty well, they just missed their potential. The movie figures on the other hand were bad looking, weren't picked up by all stores, and the movie bombed. Too bad it'll still likely drag down the chance of Korra figures my association.
Emerje
MyFigureCollection.net - Most of my Japanese figures
Associate Editor for Tomopop.com