Remember waiting for your favorite show to buffer, the little circle mocking your impatience? That feeling of anticipation, quickly turning to frustration, is a lot like the journey of Legendary’s live-action Mobile Suit Gundam adaptation. It’s been a stop-start saga, full of promise and setbacks, and it may be circling back to a familiar streaming giant.
It’s funny how these things work. Back in 2018, Legendary sparked excitement announcing a live-action Mobile Suit Gundam. Silence followed for three years until Netflix and director Jordan Vogt-Roberts were announced to be on board. Then, after more silence (except for a memorable image of a Gundam on fire), Legendary reportedly went back to square one, parting ways with Netflix and Vogt-Roberts, reportedly to bring in writer-director Jim Mickle for a fresh take.
Now, Netflix might be back in the cockpit, albeit in a different role than before.
Deadline suggests that Legendary might tap the streamer to distribute Mickle’s Gundam movie. This would be the first live-action theatrical movie adaptation of the franchise since the 1999 TV movie G-Saviour. While the plot is under wraps, THR reported that the film—starring Sydney Sweeney (Madame Web) and Noah Centineo (Street Fighter)—will center on a romance between two characters on opposing sides of an interstellar war.
The Echoes of Gundam’s Past
Think about your favorite melody; a chord progression that catches your ear. Some stories resonate in the same way. The new film, like many Gundam stories, could exist in its own timeline, separate from the “Universal Century” of the original 1979 series. But fans will probably notice the parallels between the film’s reported premise and the ’90s OVA The 08th MS Team. That story involved a romance between Earth Federation pilot Shiro Amada and Zeon pilot Aina Sahalin during the One Year War.
Will the Live-Action Gundam Movie Follow the Universal Century Timeline?
It remains to be seen whether the film will tie directly into established Gundam canon, or forge its own path. The “Universal Century” provides a rich history, but also constrains the narrative. A new timeline allows for creative freedom, potentially attracting a wider audience unfamiliar with the intricacies of the existing lore. However, die-hard fans might feel alienated if the film strays too far from the source material.
Hollywood’s Shifting Sands
The world of distribution deals is a byzantine maze of shifting alliances. By the time the live-action film reaches theaters, there could be another twist behind the scenes. Netflix is trying to acquire Warner Bros. in a significant consolidation of Hollywood. Warner has a distribution deal with Legendary for franchises like Godzilla and Dune. Meanwhile, Legendary may try to sign a new deal with Paramount… which is actively opposing Netflix’s attempted merger so it could buy Warner itself.
Who Is Distributing the New Gundam Movie?
As of now, Deadline reports that Netflix will purportedly distribute the movie, though things are subject to change given the fluid nature of the Hollywood landscape. Warner Bros., under its existing agreement, could also theoretically be involved. Distribution rights are a valuable chess piece in the ongoing power struggle.
What is the Budget for the Live-Action Gundam Movie?
Budgets are often closely guarded secrets in Hollywood, but a project of this scale—a live-action adaptation of a global anime phenomenon—likely requires a significant investment. Visual effects, casting, and marketing will all contribute to the overall cost. A high budget doesn’t always translate to a great film, but it signals a commitment from the studio to deliver a visually impressive experience.
It’s a small world, isn’t it?
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Will this live-action adaptation finally break the curse of anime adaptations, or will it become another cautionary tale?