'Pokemon' movie may be in the works given the huge popularity of 'Pokemon Go.' (Photo : Getty Images/Robert Cianflone)
Just a few days after its initial launch, "Pokemon Go" has become one of the massively played mobile gaming apps. Latest news indicated that media company Legendary Pictures has been working towards getting the rights to create a live-action "Pokemon" movie.
Niantic Labs and The Pokemon Company may have only released "Pokemon Go" in the U.S., New Zealand and Australia on July 6, but it quickly rose to popular heights given its unique augmented reality game genre. Players in the said countries found themselves spending more time outside trying to capture various Pokemon characters. With its popularity, there may be a chance that fans will see a "Pokemon" movie in the near future.
Legendary Pictures is said to be moving forward with plans to acquire the rights for a potential live-action film feature based on the popular Japanese game, Deadline reported. This is not the first time that speculations of a "Pokemon" movie surfaced. Previous rumors pointed to several movie studios trying to gain the movie rights for the project. However, the said plans never pushed through.
Meanwhile, details of the latest movie rights deal have also been scarce. At this time, it is still unclear how far Legendary Pictures has made it in trying to acquire the license to create the said film. Although, "no deals has been closed," as stated in the same report. Both the said media company and Pokemon USA have yet to comment on the news.
However, The Pokemon Company and Nintendo executives may not be interested in pursuing a potential movie deal at this time, according to The Hollywood Reporter. A U.S. based producer with knowledge of movie rights and the "Pokemon" licensing race commented that the executives of both companies would be focused on making the mobile game even more successful and profitable.
"They view a movie deal only as a downside at this stage," the producer stated. Another source also told THR that The Pokemon Company may not be open to exploring licensing offers at this time.
Fans would have to wait for further news to learn whether a live-action "Pokemon" movie will make it to Hollywood.
Watch a trailer for "Pokemon Go" below"
