The long-awaited live-action adaptation of the iconic Mobile Suit Gundam franchise is finally moving forward, with Bandai Namco and Legendary Pictures entering a co-financing agreement to bring the project to fruition.
While initially announced in 2018, updates have been scarce. However, this recent announcement from Legendary and the newly established Bandai Namco Filmworks America signals that a live-action Gundam film is officially on its way to theaters worldwide.
The companies confirmed that the currently untitled film will be written and directed by Kim Mickle (known for Sweet Tooth) and will receive a global theatrical release.
This marks the first live-action venture for a franchise boasting an extensive library of content, including 25 anime series, 34 animated films, 27 original anime productions, and a hugely successful toy line, generating over $900 million in annual revenue.
"Further details will be revealed as they are confirmed," stated Legendary and Bandai Namco. Specific release dates and plot points remain undisclosed, though a teaser poster has been unveiled.
The statement further highlighted the franchise's impact: "Debuting in 1979, Mobile Suit Gundam revolutionized the 'real robot anime' genre, departing from the simplistic good-versus-evil narratives prevalent at the time. Its realistic portrayal of war, meticulous scientific detail, and complex human dramas, centering on 'mobile suits' as weapons, sparked a phenomenal surge in popularity."
