Leaked Information Suggests a Sequel to Detective Pikachu Movie

Essential Insights

Rumors suggest that the sequel to Detective Pikachu may be titled The Great Detective Pikachu.
Development for a potential Detective Pikachu follow-up has been ongoing since 2021, with director Jordan Vogt-Roberts on board.
The success of the original Detective Pikachu at the box office indicates a strong possibility for a sequel.

Recent leaks about the Pokémon franchise have not only unveiled details about upcoming games but also teased the future of the Detective Pikachu film series. While the original live-action Detective Pikachu was deemed successful, a follow-up has yet to materialize.

Released in 2019 under the direction of Rob Letterman, known for Shark Tale, Detective Pikachu featured Ryan Reynolds (from Deadpool and Wolverine) lending his voice to Pikachu, alongside Justice Smith, who played Tim Goodman, Pikachu’s human ally. Set in the imaginative Ryme City, where humans cohabitate harmoniously with Pokémon, the storyline follows Tim and Detective Pikachu as they investigate the mysterious death of Tim’s father, Harry, a police officer in Ryme City. Although the film did not earn widespread acclaim, it grossed an impressive $450 million globally, previously holding the title for the highest-grossing video game adaptation until it was surpassed by the Super Mario Bros. Movie in 2023.

Possible Title Unveiled for Detective Pikachu 2

In early October, Game Freak, the development team behind Pokémon games, confirmed that a data breach had leaked a wealth of confidential information. While much of the leak focused on upcoming games, it also hinted at the potential title for a new Detective Pikachu movie. According to ComicBook.com, this sequel could be called The Great Detective Pikachu and is believed to have been under development since 2021 with director Jordan Vogt-Roberts attached to the project. Although details regarding the plot were reportedly included in the leaked data, it remains uncertain whether this version is still being pursued or has undergo revisions in the meantime. Notably, Vogt-Roberts is also occupied with the direction of adaptations for Metal Gear Solid and Gundam, which may limit his availability for Detective Pikachu 2.

The most recent official update regarding the sequel emerged in 2023 when Deadline reported that Jonathan Krisel, co-creator of Portlandia, was in talks to helm the next installment of the Pokémon franchise, with Chris Galletta attached to write the screenplay. This situation suggests that the latest leak might refer to an earlier iteration of the Detective Pikachu sequel. Moreover, Justice Smith, one of the film’s stars, recently revealed to Screen Rant that he had “not heard of any advancements” regarding another Detective Pikachu movie, which may indicate developmental hold-ups once again. Such delays would not be surprising, considering the repercussions of last year’s Writers’ Guild strike, which delayed numerous Hollywood projects.

It would indeed be unexpected if another Detective Pikachu film doesn’t progress. Given the first movie’s popularity and box office success, along with the enduring appeal of the Pokémon franchise, the latest game, Detective Pikachu Returns, also achieved bestseller status in Japan. The sequel may just require the right creative elements to align before making headway.

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