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 confirmation from Legendary and the newly established Bandai Namco Filmworks America signals that a live-action Gundam film is indeed headed to theaters worldwide.
The companies have 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 impressive portfolio: 25 anime series, 34 animated films, 27 original anime productions, and a highly successful toy line, generating over $900 million in annual revenue.
"Further details will be unveiled as they are finalized," stated Legendary and Bandai Namco in a joint statement. Specific release dates and plot points remain undisclosed, although a teaser poster has been released.
The statement further highlighted the franchise's significance: "Debuting in 1979, Mobile Suit Gundam revolutionized the 'real robot anime' genre, moving beyond simplistic good versus evil narratives. Its realistic portrayal of war, detailed scientific elements, and complex human dramas, treating robots ('mobile suits') as weapons, sparked a phenomenal cultural phenomenon."
