Team Rocket could be blasting off again as leaked information from Pokémon video game developers, Game Freak, has clued audiences in about a long-awaited Pokémon Detective Pikachu sequel. Starring Ryan Reynolds and Justice Smith, Detective Pikachu was adapted from the popular Pokémon spin-off game of the same name. Reynolds voiced the titular yellow-tailed detective, who led Tim Goodman (Smith) on an investigation to find his missing father.
Game Freak’s data hack primarily targeted information about upcoming video game releases. However, among the data was a surprising revelation about Detective Pikachu 2. According to the info, the sequel, titled The Great Detective Pikachu, has been in development since 2021. The leak also revealed that Jordan Vogt-Roberts, best known for Kong: Skill Island, is set to direct the new movie.
The full extent of the hack unveiled major plot details for the new movie (which won’t be released here). According to the data, The Great Detective Pikachu was scheduled for a 2024 release date. However, it is almost guaranteed that the movie’s release window will be moved. There is the chance that The Great Detective Pikachu has been shelved by Game Freak, which would explain why almost nothing was shared with the public about the project. Audiences have been anticipating a second movie after the critical and commercial success of Detective Pikachu. As well as securing decent reviews from critics (and much stronger reactions from audiences), the movie was also a box office success, grossing $450 million on a budget of $150 million.
Pokémon Detective Pikachu Was a Divisive Success
With a Rotten Tomatoes popcornmeter score of 79%, it’s easy to assume that the majority of fans loved Detective Pikachu. However, it is likely that the 21% who disliked the film were die-hard fans of the Pokémon franchise. Despite general audiences loving the film, long-time fans of the inspired fantasy world were less than impressed with the movie.
Pokémon Detective Pikachu was criticized by fans of the games and the beloved anime series for altering major story lines from the video games. Additionally, the movie drastically changed the tone of the source material. Despite living in a world where humans capture and enslave sentient creatures, forcing them to work and fight each other, the beloved Pokémon anime series (and animated movie spin-offs) featured a light-hearted comedic tone. Meanwhile, Detective Pikachu attempted to expand its target audience, blending its comedic moments with more mature themes and darker scenes.
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Despite this new information, the state of The Great Detective Pikachu currently remains uncertain. While the hack gave fans more info about the project, it did not confirm whether the film will ever be released from its pokéball. Recently, Justice Smith addressed the sequel’s long development. Despite being high on the original film’s call-sheet, Smith is also none the wiser about The Great Detective Pikachu. In January of this year, the actor said:
“I have not heard of any movement. I mean, I know what was released online, but no one has called me. So I’m just waiting for that call.”
- Release Date
- 2021-00-00
- Studio
- Legendary Pictures