Exclusive: Justice Smith Hopeful for Detective Pikachu Return

February 25, 2020

Last year saw the first live-action theatrical adaptation of the iconic Pokémon game franchise with Detective Pikachu, which was a box office smash and received generally positive reviews from critics. Legendary Entertainment saw the potential prior to its release, greenlighting a sequel prior to its release with Oren Uziel (22 Jump Street) set to write. Fans aren’t the only ones still waiting for news on the project, as star Justice Smith revealed to ComingSoon.net that he also hasn’t received any word on the follow-up.

While talking about his latest film, the Netflix romantic drama All the Bright Places in which he stars alongside Elle Fanning (Maleficent: Mistresses of Evil), Smith said that he had “no idea” about the next chapter in the series, but remained very hopeful and excited about the possibilities.

“I wish somebody would tell me something,” Smith laughed. “I have no idea, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”

“He’s being secretive,” Fanning joked.

“No, I promise! I wish, I wish I knew,” Smith replied with a chuckle.

The Detective Pikachu movie’s eclectic cast consists of Golden Globe nominee Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool) as the titular talking Pokemon with Smith (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom), Kathryn Newton (Big Little Lies), Oscar nominee Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai), Suki Waterhouse (Assassination Nation), Rita Ora (Fifty Shades Freed) and Golden Globe winner Bill Nighy (Gideon’s Daughter). Smith will star as a teen whose father is kidnapped which leads him to Reynolds’ Pikachu and Kathryn Newton as a young journalist who team up in order to find him.

Goosebumps helmer Rob Letterman is on directing duty while Mary Parent (The Revenant) and Cale Boyter are producing the film for Legendary Entertainment. The screenplay was written by Letterman and Nicole Perlman.

Pokémon has delighted fans of all ages around the world for over two decades. With more than 300 million video games sold worldwide, 23.6 billion Pokémon TCG cards shipped to 74 countries, and an animated series spanning 20 seasons, Pokémon is one of the most successful entertainment properties in the world.

The film hit theaters on May 10 and was a hit with critics and audiences alike, who praised the visual designs of the various Pokémon seen in the world and for the performances from Reynolds and Smith. The adaptation was also a box office smash, grossing over $433 million worldwide on a $150 million budget.

All the Bright Places hits Netflix on Friday!