One of anime's most legendary franchises is finally getting the live-action treatment, and Netflix has tapped two of Hollywood's hottest stars to pilot it. Noah Centineo and Sydney Sweeney are officially leading the charge in the streaming giant's upcoming film adaptation of the iconic Gundam series, with production now kicking off in Australia.
Production Takes Flight Down Under
In an exclusive interview, Noah Centineo confirmed he is heading to Australia this very weekend to begin principal photography. The actor, currently promoting his video game adaptation Street Fighter, shared his excitement about finally getting the massive project in front of cameras. While details on the plot and specific character roles for Centineo and Sweeney remain under wraps, the film is described as a hard sci-fi action epic.
Centineo had high praise for the creative force behind the camera, writer-director Jim Mickle (Sweet Tooth). "It's going to be huge," Centineo said. "Jim Mickle, our director, he's got all heart. He's so sensitive, all heart, and he builds these wonderful massive worlds. I've seen some of the previs, and I've seen what he's trying to do and looking to do, and it's very exciting."
A Stellar Cast and a Fan-First Promise
He was equally enthusiastic about his co-star, Sydney Sweeney, who is riding high from her star-making turn in Euphoria. "Sydney’s so sweet, man. She's giving everything she's got to this," Centineo shared. "I'm really excited to get out there and do this with her." The cast also includes Michael Mando (Better Call Saul).
Perhaps most importantly for the franchise's dedicated global fanbase, Centineo assured that the film is taking a "fan-first" approach. He drew a parallel to his work on Street Fighter, which is being produced by the same studio, Legendary. "Fans can expect the same level of meticulous attention to detail when it comes to respecting the property and the IP that we've all come to know and love," he stated.
While Centineo admitted his childhood knowledge of Gundam came mainly from catching it on Cartoon Network, he has since immersed himself in the lore. "After getting on board and watching more of it, it's great, dude. It's going to be great," he promised.
The Legacy of a Sci-Fi Titan
For the uninitiated, the Gundam franchise, created by Yoshiyuki Tomino, debuted in 1979 with Mobile Suit Gundam. It revolutionized the mecha anime genre by weaving complex political narratives and the grim realities of war into its stories of giant piloted robots, known as Mobile Suits. The saga, primarily set during conflicts between Earth and its space colonies, has spawned countless sequels, alternate universes, and a massive model kit culture over its nearly 50-year history.
This adaptation joins a growing slate of high-profile anime projects on Netflix, which is clearly investing heavily in the genre. While fans await this giant robot showdown, they can dive into other epic worlds on the platform, like the fantasy series Netflix's Magic: The Gathering Series Aims to Fill The Witcher's Fantasy Void or revisit classic sci-fi action with Why 'The Fifth Element' Is Netflix's Ultimate Sci-Fi Action Fix.
No official release date has been set for the live-action Gundam movie, which will be distributed globally by Netflix. With a beloved IP, a talented director, and two rising stars in the cockpit, this project is poised to be one of the streamer's most ambitious streaming events when it finally launches.
