Dune Production Company Signs on for Worldwide Release of Live-Action Gundam Film

The Mobile Suit Gundam franchise has inarguably conquered many mediums, including those of anime and plastic model kits. Now, it's giving live-action films another go, with the planned Hollywood movie moving forward in a new production update.

Via Japanese news site Oricon, the forward momentum for the Gundam movie comes as parent company Bandai announces further developments. The film will be helmed by a production company that worked on numerous blockbuster hits in the past two decades, including the Denis Villeneuve Dune films -- a science fiction pedigree that will be needed to do the concept justice on the big screen as Bandai seeks to expand the brand.

Gundam Hollywood Movie Mobilizes From Dune Producer in New Production Update

Image via Bandai, Legendary

Currently titled GUNDAM, the live-action Hollywood incarnation of Mobile Suit Gundam is now truly in the works, with plans for the film finalized today. Directed by Sweet Tooth showrunner Jim Mickle, the film's deal was signed by both Legendary Entertainment and Bandai Namco Filmworks. The latter is a subsidiary of the Bandai Namco Group, with the intention being to use movies and TV shows to further the influence and global popularity of the company's brands. Bandai Namco Filmworks America, LLC is the new American part of the larger subsidiary, which is planned to be formed by April 2025. The Gundam movie deal was finalized at the end of January, with the news now being revealed publicly.

Given that the movie is only now being given the official go-ahead, details about its plot and continuity are still unknown. This includes whether it will be set in the classic Universal Century timeline or a world all its own. Legendary Entertainment has its own slew of hits from throughout the years, many of which have been made in conjunction with Warner Bros. Discovery. These include Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy and Inception, as well as science fiction action hits such as the MonsterVerse Godzilla movies, Pacific Rim and the recent Dune remakes. Pacific Rim was notably inspired by mecha anime such as Gundam, so this experience and pedigree could signal that the Gundam live-action movie is in good hands.

Meanwhile, Feb. 28 will see the release of the Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- anime film in U.S. theaters, letting American audiences see the first parts of the new Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX anime TV series.