The long-awaited live-action adaptation of the iconic Mobile Suit Gundam franchise is finally moving forward, with Bandai Namco and Legendary Pictures officially co-financing the project.
While initially announced in 2018, details have been scarce until now. This recent confirmation from Legendary and the newly established Bandai Namco Filmworks America signifies that a live-action Gundam film is indeed headed to theaters worldwide.
The currently untitled film will be written and directed by Kim Mickle, known for her work on Sweet Tooth.
This marks the first live-action venture for a franchise boasting an extensive history, including 25 anime series, 34 animated films, 27 original anime productions, and a hugely successful toy line, generating over $900 million in annual revenue.
Bandai Namco and Legendary stated that further details will be revealed as they are finalized. While a release date and plot specifics remain undisclosed, a teaser poster has been unveiled.
The statement further highlighted the franchise's groundbreaking impact: "Launched 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."
