Exciting news for fans of the iconic anime and toy franchise: a live-action film adaptation of Mobile Suit Gundam is now in full production. Bandai Namco and Legendary have officially signed an agreement to co-finance this much-anticipated project. Although initially announced back in 2018, updates had been scarce until now. The recent announcement from Legendary and the newly established Bandai Namco Filmworks America signals that fans can finally look forward to seeing the first-ever live-action Gundam film hit the big screen.
The film, currently without an official title, will be both written and directed by Kim Mickle, known for her work on Sweet Tooth. It is set to be released in theaters worldwide. This marks a significant milestone for the franchise, which has previously produced 25 anime series, 34 animated films, 27 original anime productions, and a highly successful toy line, generating over $900 million annually.
Legendary and Bandai Namco have stated, "We plan to steadily announce details as they become finalized." While no specific release dates or plot details have been disclosed yet, a teaser poster has been released to build anticipation.
The statement also highlighted the historical significance of Mobile Suit Gundam, which first aired in 1979. It is credited with establishing the 'real robot anime' genre, moving away from the traditional good versus evil narratives in robot anime. The series is known for its realistic portrayal of war, detailed scientific explorations, and complex human dramas, treating robots as 'weapons' referred to as 'mobile suits.' This approach sparked a massive boom in the genre.
