Netflix Acquires Live-Action Gundam Film Rights

Netflix has acquired distribution rights for Legendary Entertainment's upcoming live-action adaptation of the iconic anime franchise Gundam, marking the first feature film in the series' history to transition from animation to live action. The project stars Sydney Sweeney and Noah Centineo, with filmmaker Jim Mickle directing from his own screenplay.

The film, co-developed by Legendary Pictures and franchise owner Bandai Namco Filmworks, follows the core elements of the Gundam universe. Created by Yoshiyuki Tomino and first launched in 1979 with the series Mobile Suit Gundam, the story is set in the Universal Century, a future where humanity has expanded to space colonies amid Earth's overpopulation. Tensions escalate into a war of independence between the colonies and Earth, with battles waged using massive piloted robots known as mobile suits. Over the decades, the multimedia franchise has expanded to include 83 animated series and films, alongside video games, manga, and merchandise that generates approximately $600 million in annual sales worldwide.

Mickle, known for directing the Netflix series Sweet Tooth as well as films such as Stake Land and Cold in July, will also...