Sydney Sweeney, known for her roles in HBO's "Euphoria," "The White Lotus," and the recent "Madame Web," is reportedly in final negotiations to star in the upcoming live-action adaptation of the iconic anime and toy franchise, Mobile Suit Gundam. This exciting news comes as the film, currently without an official title, moves forward in production following a February announcement that Bandai Namco and Legendary have agreed to co-finance the project.
The Gundam movie will be both written and directed by Kim Mickle, acclaimed for her work on "Sweet Tooth." While specific plot and character details remain under wraps, the film is set for a global theatrical release. A teaser poster has been released to build anticipation among fans, showcasing the iconic Gundam silhouette against a striking backdrop.
Variety broke the news of Sweeney's involvement in the project, although the specifics of her role and the plot are yet to be disclosed. Sweeney, who has also been attached to a film adaptation of a horror story from a Reddit thread, continues to expand her versatile portfolio with this new venture into the world of anime and sci-fi.
Legendary and Bandai Namco have expressed their commitment to providing updates as details are finalized. The original "Mobile Suit Gundam" series, which debuted in 1979, revolutionized the genre of 'real robot anime' by moving away from the traditional dichotomy of good versus evil. It offered a more nuanced portrayal of war, enriched with detailed scientific exploration and complex human stories, treating robots as 'weapons' known as 'mobile suits.' This approach sparked a significant cultural phenomenon and continues to influence the anime industry to this day.