ULTRAMAN Animated Movie Heading To Netflix With An All-New Story; Check Out A First Look Image

Ultraman has been one of Japan's most beloved superheroes for over five decades, and while he certainly has his fair share of fans outside that country, he's never quite taken off in the same way as their other pop culture icons. Now, Netflix is looking to change that as the streaming service is teaming with Tsuburaya Productions for a new CG-animated movie. 

Shannon Tindle (Kubo and the Two Strings) will direct, while John Aoshima (DuckTales) is serving as co-director. Tindle penned the screenplay with Kubo scribe Marc Haimes. 

The movie is separate from the ongoing Ultraman animated TV series and will feature an all-new storyline "designed to honor the past mythology while introducing the character to a new potential global fanbase." The animation style - developed by ILM - will be stylised, but not traditional anime as you can see from the concept art below.

Variety has also shared a brief synopsis, noting that the movie "will follow Ken Sato, a superstar baseball player who returns to Japan to become the latest hero to carry the mantle of Ultraman. His plans go awry, however, when he is compelled to raise a newborn kaiju monster - the offspring of his greatest enemy - as his own child. Sato will also have to contend with his relationship with his estranged father and the schemes of the Kaiju Defense Force."

We don't have a cast yet, but the plan is reportedly to include a mix of Japanese and western stars.

"Making this film is a dream come true," Tindle tells the trade in a statement. "What began as an original story inspired by my love for Eiji Tsuburaya’s Ultraman somehow became an actual Ultraman film thanks to the incredible trust of the team at Tsuburaya Productions, and the support of the folks at Netflix Animation. We’ve assembled an all-star team and I can’t wait to share our unique take on Ultraman with the rest of the world."

Are you excited for this fresh take on Ultraman?