Jim Mickle, known for his work on Netflix’s Sweet Tooth, has been chosen to write and direct a live-action Gundam movie.
Legendary and Bandai Namco Filmworks are co-developing the adaptation, marking Gundam‘s first leap into live-action cinema. Mickle will produce the film with his partner, Linda Moran, through their production company, Nightshade. Production is set to start in early 2025.
First introduced in 1979 by creator Yoshiyuki Tomino, Gundam is one of Japan’s most influential franchises, often compared to Star Wars for its cultural impact. Known for pioneering the “mecha” genre, Gundam has been the inspiration behind a vast universe of 83 animated series and movies, plus an enormous retail line that brings in over $600 million a year. While previous live-action attempts never materialized, this adaptation represents Legendary’s renewed commitment to bringing Gundam to global audiences.
Mickle’s selection as director points to the project’s serious ambitions. His work on Sweet Tooth earned a 97% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and brought home 20 Emmy nominations across three seasons. Mickle’s resume also includes acclaimed films like Stake Land, We Are What We Are, and Cold In July, all well-received at festivals like Cannes and Sundance. His expertise in character-driven storytelling, combined with the darker tones he’s known for, could provide a fresh and grounded take on Gundam‘s complex universe of political intrigue, warfare, and personal sacrifice.
Few details are available on the plot so far. Legendary initially developed a Gundam project with Jordan Vogt-Roberts (of Kong: Skull Island) attached, but neither Vogt-Roberts nor Netflix, the former production partner, remain involved. Fans of Gundam can expect updates in the coming months as the production gains momentum.
Mickle’s entry into the Gundam universe reflects his growing reputation in the industry. His early work, such as Stake Land (winner of the Midnight Madness award at the Toronto International Film Festival), cemented his skill in dark genre storytelling. Meanwhile, the critically acclaimed Hap and Leonard, which Mickle co-created, displayed his knack for developing richly textured characters, making him well-suited to translate Gundam‘s epic scale and emotional depth to live action.
Source: Deadline
