As a lifelong fan of anime and giant robots, I am thrilled by the recent developments surrounding the long-awaited live-action Gundam movie. The franchise has been a staple of my childhood, and the prospect of seeing these iconic mecha brought to life on the big screen is nothing short of exhilarating.
The long-in-the-making Gundam movie appears to have switched directors, but a new one has taken over. Originating from Yoshiyuki Tomino in 1979, Gundam has grown into a massive global franchise. This series revolves around colossal robots, more famously known as mecha, called Gundams. The franchise earns approximately $600 million yearly through toy and merchandise sales. Despite having over 30 anime productions, it hasn’t produced a live-action film yet. However, this will no longer be the case as Legendary has taken on the showrunner from the popular Netflix series Sweet Tooth.
It’s reported that Jim Mickle will be responsible for directing and writing ‘Gundam’ for Legendary Pictures. Previously, Mickle was the showrunner and director on ‘Sweet Tooth’, and he has also directed independent crime thriller ‘Cold in July’ and horror film ‘We Are What We Are’. Mickle takes over from Jordan Vogt-Roberts, who had been connected to the project since 2021 with a planned Netflix release. However, both Vogt-Roberts and Netflix withdrew from the movie. Legendary Pictures is targeting a 2025 commencement of production.
In a bid for a 2025 release, Legendary Pictures’ Gundam and Amazon MGM’s Voltron are now competing against each other. Both films originate from anime featuring colossal robots, but Voltron has made more progress as Henry Cavill has signed on and Rawson Marshall Thurber is set to direct. At this point, neither Gundam nor Voltron have confirmed release dates, so the countdown begins to see which one will hit the big screen first.
Gundam Could Be the Next Blockbuster Franchise
It appears that the latest Gundam release doesn’t have a confirmed date or distributor as of now. However, considering Legendary Pictures struck a deal with Sony Pictures for film distribution in 2022, it seems likely they might handle Gundam. Given its Japanese roots and Sony Pictures being a part of Sony Entertainment, a Japanese conglomerate, the fit could be seamless as Sony would appreciate the brand’s popularity in Japan and its global influence.
To date, only one live-action portrayal of Gundam has been made, appearing in 2018’s “Ready Player One.” Engaging a director like Mickle might at first appear unusual, considering his background in intimate, character-driven films. However, this choice hints at the potential for Gundam to deliver not only thrilling action sequences but also profound drama that resonates deeply with viewers. With a devoted fanbase stretching over decades, Gundam could soon become a significant global film franchise, captivating a new wave of fans as it strives to present an alternative to franchises such as Star Wars, Star Trek, the MCU and DCU, and numerous other established cinematic universes.
Various
Gundam
series are available to stream on Netflix and Hulu.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-11-01 00:32