Summary
With numerous franchises making their way to live-action adaptations and thriving on streaming platforms, particularly Netflix, fans have eagerly anticipated similar updates in thePokémonfranchise, which has felt somewhat stagnant. AsPokémonenthusiasts look forward to seeing more of the franchise in this new format, a fresh rumor indicates that Netflix is still working on a live-actionPokémonadaptation.
Pokémonremains one of the world’s largest and most lucrative IP franchises, with its battling mechanics and designs successfully adapted from games to screens. Despite this success, there are still untapped opportunities and areas for growth. WhilePokémonhas expanded into various spinoffsand anime series, the transition to live-action has been slower than anticipated, with only one such project releasing in 2019. Recent reports revisiting a part ofPokémon’shistory suggest that although it’s been a while since we’ve heard any updates onPokémon’sNetflix venture, it appears the project is still very much alive.
Renowned scooper Daniel RPK (Daniel Richtman) generated excitement amongPokémonenthusiasts online with his latest update forNetflix’s live-action series. Richtman, a well-known industry insider, shared the news on hisPatreon account, revealing that Netflix remains committed to the adaptation and is progressing with its development. According to his sources, thePokémonlive-action series is still “reportedly in development,” with Joe Henderson, known for his work on Netflix’s hit seriesLucifer, set to write and serve as showrunner. While specific plot details about the series are scarce, Richtman’s sources suggest that the protagonist will not be the iconic Ash Ketchum but rather Red, the original trainer from thePokémongames.
Red, who’s the inspiration behind Ash Ketchum, is a well-known figure amongPokémonenthusiasts and was the original protagonist in thePokémonfranchise. While manga readers met Red in print, thePokémongames introduced him as a playable character in the first generation. Though he appeared as a basic pixelated figure in the early games likePokémonRed, Blue, Green, and Yellow, Red quickly became a fan favorite within the Pokémon community, partly due to his pioneering role as the series’ first playable character. The Pokémon Company has kept Red as a significant figure, appearing as a secret boss in second-generation games like Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal and as a boss in seventh-generation titles such as Sun and Moon. Despite his canonical importance, Red’s characterization has been somewhat limited, with only brief exploration inPokémonGenerations and thePokémonanime, where his character lacked depth. Netflix’s adaptation has the opportunity to build on Red’s legacy, appealing to both long-time fans and new audiences by expanding on his character’s backstory.
Despite the latest rumor, Netflix has remained tight-lipped about itsPokémonproject since announcing the live-actionadaptation in 2021. Though it was confirmed that Joe Henderson would be writing and producing the series, specifics about the show, including its storyline, casting, and release timeline, have not been disclosed. Fans seekingPokémonin a live-action format have had to rely onDetective Pikachu, which debuted in 2019. This Warner Bros. and The Pokémon Company film, featuring Ryan Reynolds as the voice of Pikachu, achieved significant success, grossing over $430 million on a $150 million budget. While a sequel was planned, its development has not been updated, leaving its status uncertain. Despite this, the success ofDetective Pikachusuggests that Netflix’s live-actionPokémonseries could be a lucrative venture. The persistence of rumors about thePokémonseries suggests that, despite past delays, the project may still come to fruition sooner rather than later.
