DETECTIVE PIKACHU Star Justice Smith Doesn't Think A Sequel To The POKEMON Movie Is Going To Happen

DETECTIVE PIKACHU Star Justice Smith Doesn't Think A Sequel To The POKEMON Movie Is Going To Happen

Detective Pikachu exceeded everyone's expectations when it was released back in 2019, but star Justice Smith seems pretty confident that we won't be getting a sequel to the live-action Pokémon movie...

By JoshWilding - May 07, 2021 02:05 AM EST
Filed Under: Pokémon
Source: Inverse

When it was revealed that the first live-action Pokémon movie would be Detective Pikachu, fans of the iconic franchise had some serious reservations. It was easy enough to see why, especially when this approach wasn't what the vast majority were hoping for (that probably would have been a live-action Ash Ketchum battling his way through the Pokémon League). 

Detective Pikachu ultimately exceeded expectations with 67% on Rotten Tomatoes and a £433 million box office haul based on a $150 million budget. 

Unfortunately, there's been no word on a sequel or any future Pokémon movies. That could change down the line, but in an interview with Inverse, star Justice Smith made it clear that he's heard nothing about returning for a follow-up... and isn't expecting to for the time being. 

"I would love to participate in Detective Pikachu 2," the actor confirmed. "I don't know if it's going to happen. I think we have to just kind of bury our hopes. I don't think it's going to happen. I really hope so though. Honestly, I'm such a huge fan, who knows, who knows? I hope so."

There's still a lot of potential for these iconic creatures in a live-action setting, and we can only hope that The Pokémon Company eventually decides to capitalise on the franchise's popularity again. One suggestion online is that a future movie should pick up with an older Ash in the present day, years after he found fame as a Pokémon trainer (just imagine Chris Pratt playing a washed-up Ash).

Where would you like to see the franchise go next after Detective Pikachu?

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batman001
batman001 - 5/7/2021, 2:15 AM
I really cannot see this film getting a sequel since the story was all wrapped up at the end of the film and so there's no story left to continue.
MyCoolYoung
MyCoolYoung - 5/7/2021, 2:20 AM
I honestly don't remember most of the first one but with it being a success I wonder why the studio hasn't greenlit something at this point.

At this point I'm actually shocked that we haven't had a live action pokemon series about Ash's journey to get his first 8 badges then the Pokémon league
mastakilla39
mastakilla39 - 5/7/2021, 4:52 AM
@MyCoolYoung - I think the biggest reason this film hasn't gotten a sequel is Ryan Reynolds, he's too famous and busy. With a mediocre box office and critical reception, I don't think it was worth Legendary paying Reynolds more to return or secure a 2nd part.

The owners of Pokemon have said that "Ash" will never have a live adaptation because he's a character that will always be exclusive to animation. But Red & Blue (who Ash was based on) was in development. But I assume its all been canned now since there's been no updates.
dracula
dracula - 5/7/2021, 2:31 AM
Wonder if there will ever be an actual good video game movie. So many seemed to have potential, then fall flat.
tb86
tb86 - 5/7/2021, 3:36 AM
I’d probably be OK if they didn’t do a sequel (I don't see how they could now that Detective Pikachu is human) but there should be more movies set in this film’s continuity and the Detective Pikachu characters could still pop up.
TheUnworthyThor
TheUnworthyThor - 5/7/2021, 3:44 AM
That’s weird. Seemed easily successful enough for a sequel. I think they are missing out on the big money though. Detective Pikachu was fun but I think the wider audience would prefer the tournaments and bumping up to a PG-13 so that the action in the Pokémon on Pokémon battle can really be on point.
bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 5/7/2021, 3:53 AM
Isn't really necessary either. Especially with that ending
Cap1
Cap1 - 5/7/2021, 4:22 AM
Man, I had forgotten this movie even existed. I did like it, the visuals were a treat, story was just a bit tame. Would welcome a sequel although not surprised there’s not one in the pipeline
GoldGuy
GoldGuy - 5/7/2021, 4:39 AM
I'm not surprised. It kinda pulled a Man of Steel - it did fine in the box office, but let's be honest, way under what everyone expected.

Anyways, no big loss. I liked the film, but Sonic the Hedgehog was better.
FinnishDude
FinnishDude - 5/7/2021, 6:14 AM
By the standards of live-action Hollywood kids movies, it was decent watch, but it leave any kind of impact on me after the fact.
RingSlinger700
RingSlinger700 - 5/7/2021, 6:15 AM
Maybe they could do a comedic heist-style Team Rocket movie instead?
BornToLose
BornToLose - 5/7/2021, 7:39 AM
The film was pretty good until it hit the third act.

Then it became terrible and that twist with Ryan Reynolds being his dad? Cringe,
4thMaster
4thMaster - 5/7/2021, 8:59 AM
Just follow up with a 50's esque noir following Newton's character, and stick with the hilarity that she's the only that acts that way.
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