The Pokemon world has already laid its claim on video games, television and trading cards over the last two decades, and there's also been plenty of movies branching off of the anime that have been released theatrically and direct-to-video. Now the franchise is taking the next step forward and delivering a live action tale to the masses. However, rather than adapt Ash Ketchum's adventures, the upcoming Pokemon movie will be based off the Great Detective Pikachu video game, meaning that it will feature new human protagonists. Now we've learned that one of those characters will be played by The Get Down's Justice Smith.
Variety didn't provide any details on who Justice Smith will play in this Pokemon movie, but last month, it was reported that the main plot would revolve around two teenaged trainers named Tim and Lucy, with Tim attempting to find his missing father with a gruff Pikachu by his side, while Lucy and her Psyduck companion are investigating how captured Pokemon are reportedly turning on their trainers. If this information is true, then Smith will likely be filling the Tim role.
After appearing in the movie Paper Town and guest starring on The Thundermans TV show, Justice Smith rose to prominence starring as Ezekiel Figuero in the short-lived Netflix series The Get Down. Following that, he was cast in the upcoming Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, where he will play a young scientist. He will also star as Justin in the drama Every Day. Now that he's joined this live action Pokemon movie, it would appear that he's on the rise in Hollywood, and this adaptation of the so-called Pocket Monsters will be a good way for him to build a following with both younger moviegoers and longtime fans of the Pokemon franchise.
The original Great Detective Pikachu video game (which is only sold in Japan) followed a young boy who solves mysteries with his Pikachu, who isn't as powerful as the other electrically-charged mouse creatures, but is intelligent, wears a deerstalker hat and can be understood by his trainer. While the previously mentioned plot details for the movie aren't official, at minimum it will hit the same basic beats as the video game. Goosebumps director Rob Letterman is helming the live action Pokemon movie, while Alex Hirsch and Nicole Perlman penned the script. Supposedly the production is looking for a big-name actor to voice Pikachu, with the potential candidates reportedly including Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, Mark Wahlberg and Hugh Jackman.
With the live action Pokemon movie scheduled to begin production early next year, we should start learning what other actors will co-star with Justice Smith. Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for those details and more updates, and check out out 2018 premiere guide to find out what's hitting theaters over the next year.
