The shockingly successful Detective Pikachu, a live action / CG crossover featuring the fantastic Justice Smith and the legendary Ryan Reynolds (who at this point seems to be doing the side quests), is steadily chugging forward with sequel talks, much to this writer’s pleasure. The latest from Deadline says talks have begun with Jonathan Krisel, co-creator of Portlandia to direct the sequel, which seems like a good fit based on the tone of the first film.
The original film released in 2019 did more than $430 million at the box office, and was directed by Rob Letterman. It features lead Smith (no relation to any Holywood royalty, though Justice himself is certifiably Fresh in my opinion) as protagonist Tim Goodman, a young man who once dreamed of becoming a Pokemon Trainer. After the death of his mother and separation from his father, a police detective, he is contacted by his father’s police force when he is apparently killed in a traffic collision. Tim travels to Ryme City, a city where humans and Pokemon co-exist, and Pokemon Battles are outlawed, and gets wrapped up in a mystery tied to his father, and a strange Pikachu whom can somehow talk to him, and has lost his memory. The unlikely pair team up to try to solve the mystery his father was pursuing, and maybe answer some questions about his mysterious death.
I personally deeply enjoyed the original film, save for a tonal misstep near the end, and appreciated the film for an angle on the world of Pokemon that wasn’t necessarily centered on Trainers and Battling. As a bonus that amuses me and a handful of other people, protagonist Tim is dubbed in Japan by Ryoma Takeuchi, the actor behind the main character of Kamen Rider Drive, himself a police officer in charge of special investigations. In it’s opening weekend, the only film that beat it internationally was Avengers: Endgame and, if I’m honest with myself, that’s completely reasonable to be beaten by. Take this with a Garganacl or two, as I’m a Pokemon fanboy, but you definitely could do a lot worse with an evening and a bowl of popcorn. Even Forbes’ review called it “The Best Video Game Movie Ever” so maybe I’m not crazy?
No casting announcements have been made, but rumor points to Reynolds’ continued involvement. I personally think a returning Smith and Reynolds is the only correct way forward. I look forward to news about this film as it develops!