A live-action adaptation of the iconic Mobile Suit Gundam anime and toy franchise is finally moving forward, with Bandai Namco and Legendary entering a co-financing agreement to bring the project to life.
While initially announced in 2018, updates have been scarce. However, this recent announcement from Legendary and the newly formed Bandai Namco Filmworks America signals that fans can anticipate the first-ever live-action Gundam film on the big screen.
The companies 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 step for a franchise boasting 25 anime series, 34 animated films, 27 original anime productions, and a hugely popular toy line, generating over $900 million annually.
Legendary and Bandai Namco stated, "We plan to steadily announce details as they become finalized." While a release date and plot specifics remain undisclosed, a teaser poster has been released.
They further highlighted the franchise's impact: "Beginning broadcast in 1979, Mobile Suit Gundam established the 'real robot anime' genre, moving beyond simplistic good versus evil narratives prevalent in robot anime at the time. Its realistic depictions of war, detailed scientific elements, and complex human dramas, portraying robots as weapons ('mobile suits'), sparked a massive boom."
