Netflix hasn’t exactly kept its affinity with anime and anime-inspired content a secret, so it was only a matter of time before the streaming giant decided to tackle one of the most celebrated anime franchises there is with a live-action Gundam movie.
Set to be directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts – who most of you will be familiar with for helming Kong: Skull Island; as well as being attached to another big budget film adaptation, Metal Gear Solid starring Oscar Isaac – with a screenplay written by comic writer Brian K. Vaughn, the forthcoming production will represent a collaborative effort between the headline-making streaming giant, Legendary Entertainment, and Japan’s Sunrise Studio (i.e. the entity behind Gundam).
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While this first announcement doesn’t offer too much insight into the developing project, for the uninitiated, Gundam is a space opera involving brutal intergalactic conflicts carried out by soldiers who pilot larger-than-life mecha suits; not entirely unlike that of Guillermo del Toro’s Pacific Rim, which actually drew inspiration from anime. With the right special effects, it promises to make for extremely entertaining viewing.
To date, the Gundam universe has been popular enough to spawn 50 TV shows, countless specials, films, manga, novels, video games, as well as propping up 90% of the Japanese character plastic-model industry.
The live-action Gundam movie will stream exclusively via Netflix – official casting and release date has yet to be confirmed.
