Exciting news for fans of the iconic anime and toy franchise, Mobile Suit Gundam: a live-action film adaptation is now in full production, thanks to a co-financing agreement between Bandai Namco and Legendary. Initially announced back in 2018, the project had been quiet until recent updates from Legendary and the newly established Bandai Namco Filmworks America sparked renewed anticipation among fans eager to see the first-ever live-action Gundam film hit the big screen.
The film, currently without an official title, will be penned and directed by Kim Mickle, known for her work on Sweet Tooth. It is slated for a global theatrical release, promising to bring the beloved universe of Mobile Suit Gundam to audiences worldwide.
This marks the first live-action venture for a franchise that boasts an impressive legacy, including 25 anime series, 34 animated films, 27 original anime productions, and a highly successful toy line, generating over $900 million annually. While specific release dates and plot details remain under wraps, a teaser poster has been released to whet fans' appetites.
"We plan to steadily announce details as they become finalized," stated Legendary and Bandai Namco. They also highlighted the significance of Mobile Suit Gundam, which debuted in 1979 and revolutionized the 'real robot anime' genre. The series broke away from the traditional good vs. evil narrative, offering realistic portrayals of war, detailed scientific explorations, and complex human dramas centered around 'mobile suits' as weapons, sparking a massive cultural phenomenon.