Pokemon Live-Action Film Rights at Center of Studio Bidding War But Political Issues Could Get in The Way

The monter-collecting series Pokemon has been going strong not only as a gaming franchise but as an unstoppable force in the world of Anime, manga, trading cards, and toys since launching in 1995. It's one of the most globally recognized brands every created, and the it's currently celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Now, Pokemon wants to get a live-action movie, and according to The Hollywood Reporter, three studios are currently in a bidding war to acquire it.

The Pokemon Company, which controls the franchise based on the games developed in partnership with Game Freak and Nintendo, has been searching for a major film studio to produce it, and the rights have been offered up in what's being described as a "top secret auction", which had reportedly come down to bids from two of the most powerful studios, Sony and Warner Bros. However, reports suggest that there's a newcomer: Thomas Tull's independent studio Legendary Entertainment, and it's currently the frontrunner, but there are political issues that could get in the way. The report explains:

Legendary has now emerged as a potential victor to bring Pikachu and other Pokemon characters to theaters, according to a source. And that could pose a potential problem considering Legendary's ownership by the Chinese real estate and investment conglomerate Wanda. There have been long simmering political tensions between Beijing and Tokyo, which most recently peaked with Japan's criticism of China's territorial ambitions in the South China Sea. Those pressures have also led to a cultural strain between the two countries in which China effectively banned Japanese films for three years, which was only recently broken.

Who knew that these issues would get in the way of making a live-action Pokemon film? If Legendary Pictures acquired the film rights for Godzilla, I don't see why there would be a problem with Pokemon. Legendary has a great record on making quality films, so I think it has great potential to produce a live-action Pokemon film.

So are you excited to see a live-action Pokemon film? Who do you think should play Ash Ketchum? Maybe Asa Butterfield?

Whoever they cast, I just hope the movie won't be as weird as the Pokemon porn parody.