New details revealed that another “Pokemon” film will be shown soon, and will likely be a live-action one. (Photo : YouTube/Ideas for Hollywood)
New details revealed that another "Pokemon" film will be shown soon, and will likely be a live-action one.
It has been more than fifteen years since the first "Pokemon" movie premiered worldwide. "Pokemon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back" grossed more than $160 million in 1999 despite less than impressive critical reviews. The Pokemon franchise, which initially was developed by Nintendo as a videogame series, has since spawned eighteen full length films.
At present, the Pokemon brand boasts of a healthy following of old and young fans. In fact, the Pokemon fanbase has remained so strong that reports claiming that a live-action movie is currently in development have recently made its way online. Based on the speculations, three productions companies are vying to score the rights to the upcoming Pokemon film.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, it was revealed that Warner Bros., Sony Entertainment and Legendary Entertainment are aggressively trying to secure the rights for a live-action "Pokemon" movie.
Initially, Warner Bros. is the front-runner in the bid for the live action "Pokemon" film. After all, the production company already has experience with the franchise, having produced the first "Pokemon" movie. However, according to THR's report, Legendary Entertainment may end up with the "Pokemon" rights after all.
Sony Entertainment, Warner Bros. and Legendary Entertainment have yet to comment on the rumors surrounding the upcoming live-action "Pokemon" movie. However, since Legendary is partly owned by China's Dalian Group, and given the political tensions between China and Japan, it may render the partnership between Legendary Entertainment and Nintendo problematic.
Nevertheless, some industry insiders seem to be in favor of a non-Hollywood production company handling movie rights for Nintendo game franchises. According to Ollie Barder from Forbes, Hollywood simply does not understand how Japanese pop-culture and gaming works. Moreover, the film industry still believes that they are in direct competition with the gaming industry. Leaving a franchise like "Pokemon" in the hands of a Hollywood production house may result to something like the 1990s flop, "Super Mario Bros."
"A partnership with Hollywood would just end in disaster and if you don't believe me just watch Bob Hoskins as Mario. That dark dystopian future awaits us all if Hollywood yet again gets its talons into Nintendo," quipped by Barder.
Watch "Pokemon" live action teaser video below:
