For decades now, thePokemonanime series has enjoyed persistent popularity, spawning its own merchandise and multiple theatrical films. Recent years have seen thePokemonfranchise branch off into the live-action space, with the Ryan Reynolds-ledDetective Pikachumovie doing well at the box office in 2019. While rumors persist that more live-actionPokemonmovies are in development, it seems fans have a live-actionPokemonTV series to look forward to as well.
According to Variety’s sources, Netflix is developing a live-actionPokemonTV series, withLucifershowrunner Joe Henderson attached to write and produce the project. Plot details are unavailable at the time of this writing, so it’s anyone’s guess as to what exactly this live-actionPokemonTV series from Netflix will look like. However, with Netflix currently streaming multiple seasons of thePokemonanime, it seems only natural for it to be the one to pull the trigger on a live-action adaptation.
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Netflix is the exclusive home tonew episodes ofPokemon Journeys, and it also has some olderPokemonTV series available for streaming as well. Not only that, but Netflix has been producing numerous live-action anime adaptations in recent years, with one of the most notable in development beingCowboy Bebop. Considering this, it makes a lot of sense for Netflix to pursue a live-actionPokemonTV series.
Netflix has also shown interest in adding video game adaptations to its streaming service as well. Just recently, theResident Evil: Infinite DarknessCG series debuted on Netflix, and a live-actionResident EvilTV series with Lance Reddick as Albert Wesker is also in the works. WithPokemonbeing one of the most popular video game franchisesin the world, it seems like a no-brainer for it to be the streaming giant’s next choice for a live-action series.
It’s unclear what this NetflixPokemonseries means for the live-actionPokemontheatrical films. While nothing concrete has been announced,Detective Pikachu’s success started talks of alive-actionPokemoncinematic universethat, according to rumors, would’ve included a film about Mewtwo, a potentialDetective Pikachusequel, and aPokemon RedandBluemovie adaptation detailing Red’s journey through the Kanto region.
However, the latest update on the live-actionPokemonmovies wasDetective Pikachustar Justice Smith being uncertain that a sequel would be made. Perhaps the plans for the live-actionPokemonmovies have been put on hold in favor of the Netflix series, but that’s just speculation at this time. It’s entirely possible thatPokemonfans have multiple live-action projects to look forward to, which would make it an exciting time to be a fan of the franchise indeed.
