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, news on the film has been scarce until now. This recent announcement from Legendary and the newly established Bandai Namco Filmworks America signals that fans can anticipate the first-ever live-action Gundam movie hitting theaters worldwide.
The companies confirmed that the Mobile Suit Gundam film (currently untitled) will be written and directed by Kim Mickle, known for her work on Sweet Tooth.
This marks a significant step for a franchise boasting an impressive legacy: 25 anime series, 34 animated films, 27 original anime productions, and a wildly popular 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, although 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 in robot anime at the time, it presented a realistic portrayal of war, meticulous scientific exploration, and complex human dramas, establishing mobile suits as weapons and sparking a cultural phenomenon."
