An Original Live-Action Pokemon Series is Coming to Netflix

By Nick Hall - News Published: 28 Jul 2021, Last Updated: 25 Oct 2021

Netflix is set to bring Pokemon to life on the small screen, with reports a new live-action series is in early development. Details are scarce at the moment, but Variety is suggesting the project is being helmed by Lucifer showrunner Joe Henderson, who is expected to take on the writing and executive producing roles. Based on the success of the hit sci-fi detective series, Pokemon fans could be in for a treat.

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According to Variety, the new live-action Pokemon series is set to follow a similar vane of 2019’s Detective Pikachu. The feature film paired Justice Smith with Ryan Reynolds’ wise-cracking pocket monster in a neo-noir adventure through the hyper-colour streets of Ryme City. As strange as the initial concept sounded, Detective Pikachu proved to be a massive box office success, grossing over USD$430 million worldwide on a reported budget of just USD$150 million. Netflix’s newly announced iteration certainly has some big shoes to fill, but thankfully, it won’t be the streamer’s first foray into the world of Pokemon.

The streaming service is home to multiple existing Pokemon shows, including Pokemon: Indigo League and Pokemon Journeys with the entertainment giant also making a strong push into anime territory. Netflix recently announced live-action adaptations of Cowboy Bebop and One Piece just a few short years after dropping the live-action Death Note film.

Behind the scenes, Henderson does appear to be a solid choice for the live-action Pokemon series. The Lucifer showrunner is currently developing a series adaptation of the comic book Shadecraft for Netflix, which was announced in March. Henderson penned the comic, working alongside artist Lee Garbett and is co-writing the pilot with Georgia Lee.

Nick Hall

Nick Hall is an award-winning journalist and the current Editor-in-Chief of Man of Many. With an extensive background in the media industry, he specialises in feature writing, lifestyle and entertainment content. Nick is the reigning Mumbrella Publish Awards ‘Editor of the Year’ and B&T ‘Best of the Best - Journalist’, courtesy of his work with Man of Many.

Prior to working at the men’s lifestyle publication, Nick spent two years as a journalist with Inside Franchise Business, focusing on small business, finance and legal reporting.

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