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Video games don’t have the best track record on the big screen. Super Mario Bros., Street Fighter, and Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within are just a handful of films that failed to capture the heart of their source material.
One of the few exceptions to this rule is Pokémon. Thanks to the game’s hugely popular anime series, Pikachu and pals have made it to the big screen with a higher level of success than just about every other video game adaptation. Starting with 1999’s Pokémon: The First Movie, the series has seen 19 films released. Not all of those releases have been theatrical, but the franchise could return to theaters in a very big way! According to recent reports, The Pokémon Company recently held a private auction for the live-action film rights for the popular franchise, and three large movie studios are currently embroiled in a bidding war. Apparently, Warner Bros., Legendary, and, interestingly enough, Sony are all interested in the adaptation.
Despite some potential hurdles, the idea is promising. Pokémon could be a global box office draw. The franchise is easily one of Nintendo’s most successful properties, and Hollywood has seen the benefit of more faithfully adapting source material, as of late. While video game to film translations don’t have the best track record, Pokémon could be the perfect franchise to end that curse.
Would you like to see a live action Pokémon film? Let us know in the comments below!
Source: Screen Crush
