Netflix is reportedly developing a live-action Pokémon movie to tie into their upcoming live-action series. Since it premiered in 1996, Pokémon has been one of the most successful multimedia franchises in history. It has been featured in a large number of video games, trading cards, television series, and even features films, with Pokémon: The First Movie still the highest-grossing anime film at the domestic box office.
Following the popularity resurgence of Pokémon Go in 2016, a live-action film based on the video was fast-tracked. In 2019, Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures released Detective Pikachu based in the world of Pokémon. Despite getting positive reviews from critics and audiences and a respectable box office, the film failed to match the likes of similar nostalgic cartoons turned movies like Transformers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. In 2021, Netflix announced they were developing a live-action Pokémon series, a first for the franchise.
According to The Illuminerdi, Netflix is reportedly developing a live-action Pokémon film that will tie into their upcoming Netflix series. The film will not be in continuity with the recently released Detective Pikachu and instead will be a reboot of the franchise. Currently, there’s no word on when the film will premiere or if it will proceed with the television series or after it.
Netflix’s decision to do a live-action Pokémon movie fits in with many of the company’s creative decisions. Netflix has recently invested heavily in a string of high-profile live-action adaptations of popular anime series like One Piece and Cowboy Bebop. The streamer’s previous foray into anime adaptations like Death Note and Fullmetal Alchemist may not have inspired much confidence, but the streamer sees a high value in the market for anime and anime-inspired productions including a big-budget adaptation of Gundam from Kong: Skull Island director Jordan Vogt-Roberts.
Source: The Illuminerdi
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