If last year’s Detective Pikachu trailer had you whet with anticipation for Hollywood Pokémon goodness, then more good news on the way. Legendary Pictures, who are producing the aforementioned flick, are building their own Hollywood Pokéuniverse. The next project to be set within it? Pokémon Red and Blue.
Now, you might be surprised. After all, Detective Pikachu won’t be hitting the silver screen until May 2019 so Legendary won’t even know how profitable the movies can be until then. Yet, according to We Got This Covered, the movie execs are feeling pretty confident about the potential success. Thus, we’re getting a Pokémon Red and Blue movie.
If that weren’t enough, the studio is also working on a Mewtwo spin-off movie. Recently, it has been revealed that this rare and powerful Pokémon will be the ‘secret villain’ of Detective Pikachu. So, all in all? A great time to be a Pokémon fan.
Both of these movies are due to be set in the same universe as the aforementioned detective flick. There will be minor connections to that film’s plot, but otherwise, Red and Blue will be its own thing. One can assume that it will reflect the more traditional Pokémon experience of being a young trainer, catching pocket monsters and earning gym badges to become the very best that no-one ever was.
After all, Red and Blue were the very first Pokémon games. They hit the original GameBoy way back in 1996, introducing players worldwide to a franchise that would make millions. Of course, in their original Japanese release, the games were Red and Green. When Game Freak remade the titles for the GameBoy Advance, they were then rightfully retitled FireRed and LeafGreen.
The first on-screen adaptation of these games was the anime we all know and love. The series chronicles the adventures of budding Pokémon master Ash Ketchum as he strives to become the “best that no-one ever was” (referencing that famous theme song).
If this Hollywood rendition of the games can capture the charm and heart of the anime, then we could be in for a hit.
Do you think a movie based on Red and Blue is a good idea? Or would it transition badly onto the silver screen? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.