Michael Mando Joins Netflix and Legendary’s Live-Action GUNDAM Movie
Netflix and Legendary’s live-action Gundam movie just added another piece to its growing cast as Michael Mando has officially signed on for the highly anticipated adaptation, continuing to build momentum as it’s prepping for production.
This project has been shaping up into something pretty awesome, and with this latest addition, it’s getting even more interesting.
Mando, who fans know best for his incredible run as Nacho Varga in Better Call Saul and his breakout performance in Orphan Black, is stepping into the world of giant mech warfare.
His role is being kept completely under wraps for now, and the same goes for the film’s story, which is locked down tight by the studio. Reps for Netflix and Legendary declined comment, so for now, speculation is part of the fun.
The actor is keeping busy across the board. He’ll soon appear in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, hitting theaters July 31, where he reprises his role as Mac Gargan, aka Scorpion, from Spider-Man: Homecoming.
On top of that, he’s also set to star in Netflix’s upcoming comedy 72 Hours alongside Kevin Hart, making Gundam his second collaboration with the streamer.
He joins a cast that already includes Sydney Sweeney, Noah Centineo, and Jason Clarke, which is a pretty solid lineup. Production is expected to kick off in Australia this April, so things are moving quickly.
This film marks a huge milestone for the franchise. Developed by Legendary in partnership with Bandai Namco Filmworks, it’ll be the first-ever live-action Gundam movie.
The project is being directed by Jim Mickle, known for Sweet Tooth, who also wrote the script. He’s producing alongside Linda Moran through their Nightshade banner, with Centineo and Enzo Marc also producing.
Gundam is a massive sci-fi franchise that helped define the “mecha” genre. It all started with Mobile Suit Gundam back in 1979, created by Yoshiyuki Tomino. Since then, it’s grown into a global powerhouse, pulling in over $600 million annually across anime, films, games, and merchandise.
Legendary has been trying to get this movie off the ground for a while. The project was first announced in 2021 with Kong: Skull Island director Jordan Vogt-Roberts attached, though he’s since moved on. Now, with Mickle at the helm and cameras about to roll, it finally feels like this movie is actually happening.
Mando also has another major project on the horizon. He’ll star alongside Charlie Hunnam and Adria Arjona in Prime Video’s Criminal, based on the Marvel/Image comic series, adding even more genre cred to his resume.
Between the cast, the creative team, and the legacy of the franchise, Gundam has all the ingredients to deliver something awesome. Now we just have to wait and see what kind of story they’re bringing to life when those giant robots finally hit the screen.