Noah Centineo is reportedly negotiating to take a central role in the highly anticipated Noah Centineo Gundam live-action film, which will bring the renowned anime franchise to global audiences. The casting discussions add momentum to a project backed by Sunrise and Legendary Pictures, scheduled amid ongoing industry buzz.
Discussions Surrounding Lead Actor and Additional Casting News
Recent reports from Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter state that Noah Centineo, recognized for his work in
“To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before”
and “Street Fighter,” is in talks with Sunrise and Legendary Pictures to star in the upcoming Gundam adaptation. Centineo is said to be considered for the role of Ken in Legendary Pictures’ live-action take on Capcom’s “Street Fighter” series. While his involvement is not finalized, his attachment to the Noah Centineo Gundam live-action film reflects the producers’ intent to appeal to both fans of the original anime and new viewers worldwide.
It was also highlighted in March that Sydney Sweeney, known for her performances in “Euphoria,”
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,”
and “Immaculate,” was in final discussions for a leading role in the film. The ongoing negotiations for both Centineo and Sweeney suggest that casting efforts are active and ongoing, with studio interest in securing high-profile actors for the project.
Corporate Strategies and Partnerships Behind the Film
In preparation for expanding its brand into international markets, Bandai Namco Holdings USA Inc. created Bandai Namco Filmworks America, LLC, a new subsidiary under Bandai Namco Filmworks’ direction. This subsidiary aims to strengthen foreign licensing and brand management ahead of the movie’s worldwide rollout. Earlier in January, Bandai Namco Filmworks and Legendary Pictures finalized a joint investment deal for the live-action Gundam project, reflecting their shared interest in maximizing the franchise’s overseas impact.
The announcement adds further momentum to the adaptation, signaling an evolving approach to Japanese entertainment entering the Western mainstream. Bandai Namco’s preparations show a strong commitment to the project’s global success, with both creative and business decisions closely aligned.
Creative Talent and Production Team Developments
According to Deadline’s October 2024 coverage, Jim Mickle, notable for his work as showrunner on “Sweet Tooth,” is on board as the film’s writer and director and will also produce through Nightshade, the production venture he leads with Linda Moran.
Previously, Jordan Vogt-Roberts of “Kong: Skull Island” fame was introduced as the project’s director and executive producer. At the early stages, Brian K. Vaughan, a renowned comic book author with credits on “Y: The Last Man,” “Ex Machina,” and “Runaways,” was attached as initial scriptwriter and executive producer. Additional leadership roles were filled by Makoto Asanuma, previously credited as executive producer, along with Mary Parent, vice chair of Worldwide Production for Legendary. Legendary’s Cale Boyter, who has produced films such as “Pokémon Detective Pikachu” and “Dune,” and Sunrise’s Naohiroshi Ogata also serve as producers. Netflix previously announced that it would stream the movie globally and even previewed concept art in late 2021.
The Origins and Industry Connections Enabling the Film
Industry insiders have revealed that the possibility of a Noah Centineo Gundam live-action film can be traced back to a cameo from Gundam Unicorn in the movie “Pacific Rim: Uprising.” During a Project Anime industry panel in March 2019, Robert Napton, former Bandai Entertainment Director of Marketing and the current Senior Vice President of Publishing at Legendary Comics, along with Sunrise Executive Expert Ken Iyadomi discussed how this cameo forged connections between Sunrise and Legendary Pictures. Iyadomi commented that establishing contact with the right people was challenging, though the Sunrise CEO was enthusiastic about moving forward. The smaller team size at Legendary also allowed for quicker decision-making, smoothing negotiations between the companies.
Early Announcements and Event Highlights
At Anime Expo in July 2018, Cale Boyter of Legendary Pictures appeared with Bandai Namco Holdings’ president and representative director Mitsuaki Taguchi to present the project’s initial adaptation details to the public. A segment about the new live-action film was moderated by Robert Napton, further highlighting the collaboration between major industry players.
Additionally, at the “Gundam Franchise’s New Work Unveiling” event in April 2018, a project provisionally titled “Mobile Suit Gundam UC2” was teased. Described as an “overseas drama” set in Universal Calendar year 0104, it was listed for a 2022 launch. However, when the visual was shown, event emcee and novelist Harutoshi Fukui encouraged the audience to “pretend you didn’t see that” as a way to downplay the early and possibly premature announcement.
Anticipated Impact and Next Steps for the Film
The developing Noah Centineo Gundam live-action film reflects years of negotiations, partnership building, and strategic efforts by both Japanese and American studios. With an evolving cast and creative direction, the project is poised to bridge cultures and introduce the Gundam universe to new audiences worldwide. As industry stakeholders and fans watch closely, further announcements about final casting and production timelines are expected in the coming months.
