As anime skyrockets in popularity in the US and other western countries, Hollywood studios are looking to cash in on the trend with live-action adaptations of beloved anime. Gundam, one of the most iconic anime franchises, which began in the 1970s and is still going strong today, is the latest film to be given a Hollywood live-action adaptation. As well as the backing of the timeless IP, the new Gundam movie could also have some serious A-list talent attached, as Anyone But You and Euphoria star, Sydney Sweeney, is in talks to lead the new movie.
According to Variety, Sydney Sweeney is in the final round of talks to headline Legendary and Bandai’s live-action Gundam movie. The movie was announced way back in 2018 and has bounced in and out of development over the past seven years. Jim Mickle is currently attached to write and direct the film. Mickle is best known for his work on Netflix’s Sweet Tooth. No major plot details or other pieces of casting have been revealed for the film. However, Sydney Sweeney’s casting is the biggest and best update the mecha anime’s adaptation has received since it was announced.
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Before Jim Mickle signed on to the show, Jordan Vogt-Roberts had been attached to the film since 2021. Vogt-Roberts is best known for writing and directing Kong: Skull Island. At that time, Netflix was also attached to produce the project, although it appears the streamer has since disassociated themselves with the film. Legendary and Bandai are still producing the film, although a distributor has not yet been found.
What Is ‘Gundam’ About?
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Trying to explain the entire plot of the Gundam franchise is almost as complicated as explaining the Fate anime series. The first Gundam anime, Mobile Suit Gundam, was released way back in 1979. Set in the far future, the series followed the intergalactic war between the Principality of Zeon and the Earth Federation, who used giant mech suits (better known as “mecha”) to wage war.
Gundam helped to usher in the mecha revolution in anime, which later inspired other popular franchises like Transformers and Voltron (which is also getting a live-action adaptation). To date, there are over 30 Gundam anime, with more in the works, as well as various tie-in manga, comics, light novels, and merchandise. Surprisingly, Legendary’s upcoming film will be the first live-action adaptation. It is unclear if Sydney Sweeney’s Gundam film will adapt one of the past anime storylines, or if it will tell a new story that ties into the franchise.
Given the popularity of the franchise in Japan, and with anime fans abroad, Gundam has the potential to become a new major franchise. In a world where Michael Bay was allowed to make seven transformers movies, and bizarre anime like Baban Baban Ban Vampire receive live-action adaptations, Gundam has the potential to be something great… providing it is handled right.
Source: Variety
Release Date
1979 – 1980
Network
Nagoya TV
Directors
Yoshiyuki Tomino, Ryoji Fujiwara, Shinya Sadamitsu
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Hirotaka Suzuoki
Gihren Zabi (voice)
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Tôru Furuya
Degwin Sodo Zabi (voice)
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Toshio Furukawa
M’Quve (voice)
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Kiyonobu Suzuki
Hayato Kobayashi (voice)
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