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, updates have been scarce. However, this recent confirmation from Legendary and the newly established Bandai Namco Filmworks America signals that fans can anticipate the first-ever live-action Gundam film on the big screen.
The companies have confirmed that the currently untitled Mobile Suit Gundam film will be written and directed by Kim Mickle (Sweet Tooth) and receive a global theatrical release.
This marks a significant leap for a franchise boasting an extensive catalog: 25 anime series, 34 animated films, 27 original anime productions, and a highly successful toy line, generating over $900 million in annual revenue.
Legendary and Bandai Namco stated, "We plan to steadily announce details as they become finalized." Specific release dates and plot details remain undisclosed, although a teaser poster has been unveiled.
They further highlighted the franchise's impact: "Launched in 1979, Mobile Suit Gundam revolutionized the 'real robot anime' genre, departing from the simplistic good versus evil narratives prevalent at the time. Its realistic portrayal of war, detailed scientific elements, and complex human dramas, treating robots ('mobile suits') as weapons, sparked a massive cultural phenomenon."
