entertainment

Live-action U.S.-produced Gundam movie coming to Netflix

13 Comments
By Casey Baseel, SoraNews24

Whenever there’s an anime-to-Hollywood live-action movie adaptation announcement, it’s best to take it with a grain of salt, since as often as not nothing ever actually comes of them. So back in 2018, when word came that Legendary Entertainment had struck a deal with Bandai to produce a live-action "Gundam" movie, you had to wonder if it’d eventually meet the same fate as the live-action "Evangelion" and "Akira# movies producers promised were on the way oh so many years ago.

But it looks like live-action "Gundam" is indeed a go, as the project now has not only a director and screenwriter, but also an online distributor: Netflix.

Screen-Shot-2021-04-.png

Taking the controls of the live-action "Gundam" is American director Jordan Vogt-Roberts, whose highest-profile project so far was directing 2017’s "Kong: Skull Island." Like the "King Kong" reboot, the live-action "Gundam" is being produced by Legendary Entertainment. Penning the script is Brian K Vaughan, a veteran comic book writer whose works include "Y: The Last Man," "Saga," and a long list of contributions to Marvel and DC franchises such as "X-Men," "Batman" and "Green Lantern," though no prior film scriptwriting credits.

In addition to whether any practical effects will be used (maybe with an assist from Japan’s life-size, moving Gundam statue pictured top), a big question now becomes whether this is going to be an adaptation of a pre-existing part of the "Gundam" franchise, or an all-new story that simply borrows the series’ iconic mecha design cues and “war in/with space is hell” theme. For its part, Netflix says:

“The story for the live-action film version of 'Gundam' is being kept under wraps but the original 'Gundam' series is set in the Universal Century, an era in which humanity’s growing population has led people to emigrate to space colonies. Eventually, the people living in the colonies seek their autonomy, and launch a war of independence against the people living on Earth. Through the tragedies and discord arising from this human conflict, not only the maturation of the main character, but also the intentions of enemies and the surrounding people are sensitively depicted. The battles in the story, in which the characters pilot robots known as mobile suits, are wildly popular. The 'Gundam' universe is replete with numerous storylines of love and conflict along with the popular 'Gundam' battles, in which the characters operate robot suits called Mobile Suits.”

The Universal Century details seem sort of superfluous if the live-action "Gundam" won’t be taking place in the U.C. continuity, but a brief recap of a franchise’s original concept is a pretty standard part of press releases involving long-running Japanese IPs, so the abridged "Gundam" history lesson could simply be something Netflix added at Bandai’s behest.

From a hardcore "Gundam" fan perspective, there are a few odd things in Netflix’s tweet, starting with the call to “grab your mobile suits,” since a giant robot isn’t something you really “grab” so much as hop into. And while this is indeed the first-ever “live-action feature film version of Sunrise’s "Gundam" for Netflix,” it’s not the first-ever live-action "Gundam" film, as that honor/shame goes to the Canadian-produced "G-Saviour," which aired on Japanese TV in 1999.

There’s no projected release date for the live-action "Gundam" yet, but Netflix says that in addition to streaming through its service, the movie will get a theatrical release in China, though it’s currently unclear if it will hit theaters in other countries as well.

Sources: Twitter/@NXOnNetflix via Otakomu, Netflix

Read more stories from SoraNews24.

-- Pokémon live-action movie is finally happening as Legendary Entertainment secures movie rights

-- Live-action Cowboy Bebop cast revealed by Netflix, but there’s someone missing from the crew

-- Awesome self-building Gundam model video shows every anime mecha fan’s dream come true【Video】

© SoraNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

13 Comments
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From the poster that hints "Operation Meteor", it looks to be Gundam Wing, which was hugely popular in the US, but a forgotten flop in Japan.

Japanese Gundam fans will be disappointed.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Live Action’ means ‘actors’ against ‘blue screens’ coupled with CGI.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

*You would really impress us if that full-scale ‘replica’ could, at least, take a few steps! *All we seen is a discharge of smoke and more ‘hot air’ given off by promoters.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

If you're deep into anime, you should probably stay away from ALL live-action movies. I have really no idea about the story or characters of Gundam, so like any movie I'll just wait for a trailer.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I am IIIIIIIIIIIIIron Maaaaaaannnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Make it stop.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

The Japanese-made live-action Mobile Police Patlabor - the Next Generation was faithful to the anime series and films that preceded it... I can't see an American-made Gundam film being even remotely faithful. I mean if it is set in the original UC0079 storyline, can you imagine the forces of Zeon and their uniforms and symbolism based on Nazi Germany?

I don't see it working, to be honest

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

The US will do what they did with the Stallone Judge Dredd movie. Misunderstand the fundamentals and make a pig's ear of it.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Definition of a movie is rather generous these days.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@Thunderbird2

if it is set in the original UC0079 storyline, can you imagine the forces of Zeon and their uniforms and symbolism based on Nazi Germany?

Jews and Israelis are fine with Zeon(Not Zion), as long as they are portrayed as evil to be vanquished.

After all, there are several Nazi themed Hollywood blockbusters, such as Captain America series, Indiana Jones series, etc.

Heck, Steven Spielberg had no problem directing Indiana Jones 1, 2, and 3 even though he was Jewish, because the movie featured Indiana Jones battling evil Nazis.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

GBR48Apr. 16  05:35 pm JST

The US will do what they did with the Stallone Judge Dredd movie. Misunderstand the fundamentals and make a pig's ear of it.

That's why Godzilla flicks are better when Japanese directors make them. Hollywood always douches them up.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The US will do what they did with the Stallone Judge Dredd movie. Misunderstand the fundamentals and make a pig's ear of it.

I was bitterly disappointed at the time. Despite having the Angel Gang and Hammerstein present.

What was it? The removal of the helmet? The alleged humorous sidekick? The visible snot in Von Sydow's nostril?

It wasn't Stallone, who tried his best. But Urban's portrayal was much better. Would like to see the rumoured series also make an appearance on Netflix or one of the other services. No offence to Gundam, fans, natch.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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