Sydney Sweeney is now in talks to star in the live-action Gundam movie. The Emmy-nominated actor is best known for her work in Euphoria and The White Lotus season 1. Gundam is a Japanese science-fiction franchise about giant mecha robots and the battles they face in wartime. The franchise began in 1979 with the TV series Mobile Suit Gundam and has since had several iterations. The development of a live-action film version of Gundam was originally announced in 2021.
Per ᴅᴇᴀᴅline, Sweeney is reportedly in final negotiations to star in the Gundam live-action movie. Sweeney’s character details have yet to be revealed, and the film’s plot is still unknown. The film is still set to be directed by Jim Mickle, who will also write the script and serve as a producer on the film. It is co-developed by Legendary Entertainment and Bandai Namco Filmworks, the latter of whom owns the franchise. All of this production information was confirmed in the most recent report.
What This Means For The Gundam Movie
The Casting Progress Is A Good Sign After Production Shake-Ups
Any progress is good news for the Gundam live-action movie, which has faced some production struggles along the way. Originally, the film was going to be helmed by Kong: Skull Island director Jordan Vogt-Roberts, with Netflix helping produce the project. The streamer eventually dropped the project late last year, and Mickle and Legendary stepped into their roles. Given these shakeups, it is good to see Gundam making good progress in its casting.
Whatever character she plays in the Gundam universe will be an interesting step forward for Sweeney. Except for her role in the Marvel film Madame Web, the majority of Sweeney’s work has existed outside major franchises. Instead, she has contributed her talents to TV series and one-off films such as Immaculate and Reality. The star has been getting more roles in general, but her part in Gundam will definitely be a way to solidify her star status in an anticipated IP-based movie.
Our Take On This Gundam Casting
Gundam’s Female Characters Have Gotten Mixed Reviews
Over the decades of the Gundam franchise’s existence, there has been ample debate about the treatment of its female characters. On the one hand, some audiences have found the female characters underdeveloped, while others think the mecha anime series portrays them better than others. As the Gundam live-action movie likely attempts to make well-rounded female characters, it will be interesting to see how it fits into the narrative regarding Sweeney.
Source: ᴅᴇᴀᴅline
Gundam
- Created by
-
Yoshiyuki Tomino
- First Film
-
Mobile Suit Gundam I
- First TV Show
-
Mobile Suit Gundam
Summary
The Gundam franchise is a cornerstone of mecha anime, featuring giant robots known as “mobile suits” in various wartime settings. Originating with Mobile Suit Gundam in 1979, it explores complex themes of war, politics, and humanity through the struggles of pilots who navigate these mᴀssive machines. The franchise spans multiple timelines and universes, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected stories and standalone narratives.
