
Thanks to Pokémon GO, Hollywood executives are reportedly super-interested (again) in the idea of a live-action Pokémon movie.
The American landscape has changed. Before, when you saw a wild-eyed lunatic pacing around in circles in your backyard, you would’ve immediately locked your doors and called the police. Now, you probably just assume he’s playing the recently released Pokémon GO and pull out your own smartphone to join the conga line of players hoping to catch a virtual Squirtle or something.
Pokémon GO is so popular, it’s apparently even outpacing Tinder in terms of downloads and rapidly closing in on Twitter’s Daily Active Users (DAU), which, whoa, is bonkers for an ostensibly kid-oriented video game. It’s practically printing money for Nintendo.
Naturally, the scent of millions of freshly-minted bills has aroused the attention of Hollywood executives – specifically those at Legendary Pictures – who are now apparently working day and night to close a deal with Nintendo for the rights to a live-action Pokémon movie.
According to Deadline, while practically everyone in Hollywood is drooling over the franchise’s film rights, Legendary appears to be “close” to closing a deal.
The deal itself isn’t finalized, of course, and Nintendo has, until recently, been notoriously averse to producing films out of their games. And we must also remember that literally every single video game adaptation movie has stunk worse than stale weasel urine, so fans should temper their expectations even if this deal comes to fruition.
Then again, if the film does get made, it’s doubtful anyone will actually be viewing it, as fans will be too busy fighting each other to become their movie theater’s Gym Leader.
Source: Deadline
H/T: Kotaku
Feature image: Wikipedia/Nintendo
Insert image: Google Play Store


Pokémon live-action movie is finally happening as Legendary Entertainment secures movie rights
Deadpika? Pikachu to be played by Ryan Reynolds in live-action Pokémon movie
Pokémon: Detective Pikachu movie trailer surprises fans with first look at live-action characters
Anime Saint Seiya gets live-action “Hollywood” film adaptation, but will U.S. moviegoers care?
Hollywood is making a live-action Gundam movie that’s sure to please…well, probably no one
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
7-Eleven Japan has a lot of famous food, but its new burrito needs to be on your radar
Japan’s Mocchurin donuts declared too popular to exist by creator Mister Donut, will disappear soon
Japan’s new pettably fuzzy cat-shaped earbud chargers meow to let you know their status[Video]
Sanrio collaborates with Sesame Street for adorable merch and sweets in Japan[Photos]
Live-action Spirited Away stage play announces world tour with first-ever U.S. and Canadian dates
Tokyo has only two barley tea makers, and we visited one to see how mugicha is made
Pikachu brings electric style to brand-new Pokémon G-Shock watch featuring every stater trio
Family Mart Japan installs red-eyed “Monster Wolf” to keep bears away from convenience store
Starbucks Japan reopens Shinkansen platform store after redesigning it for speed
Blind Tokyo commuter explains the easiest place for him to stand while riding the train
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
U.S.-produced Netflix Pokémon live-action series reportedly on the way
Sonic the Hedgehog live-action movie refuses to die, new studio grabs abandoned film rights
Nintendo announces live-action Hollywood Zelda movie, co-financed by Sony
New live-action Pokémon movie trailer shows Mewtwo, confirms Flareon won’t be cute【Video】
Japanese fans make landslide pick for next anime they want a Hollywood live-action adaptation of
Anime Your Name to be remade as Hollywood live-action movie produced by J.J. Abrams
Live-action U.S.-produced Gundam movie is coming to Netflix
New live-action Pokémon adaptation announced for Pokémon Unite
Anime/manga One-Punch Man to be turned into a Hollywood live-action movie
How does Japan feel about a Hollywood adaptation of the Yakuza video game series?
Live-action Legend of Zelda movie reveals cast for roles of Link and Zelda
The mystery of live-action Pokémon movie Pikachu’s freaky-sounding German voice【Video】
Teaser trailers released for Hollywood’s live-action Ghost in the Shell movie【Videos】
Detective Pikachu debuts in Pokémon GO in event saluting franchise’s first live-action film
Live-action, Western-made Death Note film opening in Japan, but it’s not what anime fans think