Pokémon (Live Action Series) | Netflix | Joe Henderson Attached as Showrunner

[Wormow]

Very early stages, but wanted to discuss it anyway...

 

A new Pokemon series is in early development at Netflix, Variety has learned exclusively from sources.

As the project is still in its early days, no details are available about the plot. However, sources say that Joe Henderson is attached to write and executive produce. Henderson currently serves as co-showrunner and executive producer on the popular Netflix series “Lucifer,” which is preparing to air its sixth and final season at the streamer.

Sources also say that the project would be a live-action series akin to the “Detective Pikachu” film starring Ryan Reynolds and Justice Smith that was released in 2019.

Reps for Netflix and Henderson did not immediately respond to Variety‘s request for comment.

The move to develop an original Netflix Pokemon series comes as the streamer has made itself the home to multiple existing Pokemon shows, including “Pokemon: Indigo League” and “Pokemon Journeys” among others. Netflix has also been making a strong push into anime in recent years, having previously announced original series based on “Far Cry,” “Splinter Cell,” and “Terminator.” Netflix has been moving into more live-action adaptations of anime titles as well, including the upcoming “Cowboy Bebop” and “One Piece” live-action shows. The streamer previously released a live-action “Death Note” film in 2017.

In addition to his work on “Lucifer,” Henderson is currently developing a series adaptation of the comic book “Shadecraft” at Netflix, which was announced in March. Henderson penned the comic, working alongside artist Lee Garbett. Henderson is co-writing the pilot of that project with Georgia Lee, with both also executive producing. Garbett will produce.

 

I am SO SO HAPPY that TCPi are going to continue to try again with a live-action Pokemon adaption. Sure, Detective Pikachu had it's weak moments... but so much of what really worked, WORKED. They had a good idea, and they can learn from their mistakes moving forward.

After the movie just performed average at the box office, it was clear a sequel movie was no longer in sight but glad this confirms they're going to try again, albeit a different route.

Netflix are absolutely TERRIBLE with adaptions. Look at Death Note. Look at Winx Club. They're doing a live action series for Avatar: The Last Airbender and the original creators LEFT the project due to creative differences which is so, so concerning. Fortunately, unlike those properties, Pokemon doesn't have a set "main" storyline, so they can depart from the original source material entirely and most of the fandom would be okay with it as long as they get the Pokemon right (which Detective Pikachu did, IMO)

This is clearly years, years away though. As in it's clear they only just discussed it and "leaked" it to the press to gauge audience reaction.