The Next Pokémon Movie Is... Different

Pokémon is officially back, and it's bigger than ever. With the release of Niantic's augmented reality "Pokémon Go" game, it's starting to feel like the '90s again as kids and adults of all ages discuss topics including who their favorite Pokémon is and which one they want to catch next. And, with the fight for the world's best Pokémon trainer underway and Nintendo's 25 percent increase in it's stock, it was only a matter of time until Hollywood tried to cash in on the phenomenon. The video game and television franchise is set to hit the big screen with its first-ever live-action Pokémon movie.

According to Variety, Legendary Entertainment is pairing up with The Pokémon Company to give fans a live-action film focused on the company's fairly new character, Detective Pikachu. With the help of Universal Pictures and the Japan-based distribution company, Toho, the film will tell the story of Pikachu in same light of the Detective version briefly introduced through one of the company's many already-released Japanese video games.

However, full details on the film's plot — and whether or not Ash, Misty, and Brock will be joining the adventure — are not yet known. When looking at the trailer for the Japanese Detective Pikachu game, there's certainly an air of Sherlock Holmes to it. This could be a whole new adventure for fans of the original television series.

Meanwhile, whether fans end up being happy with the direction The Pokémon Company decides to go in with the film or not, a live-action Pokémon movie is bound to be a success for the next generation of Pokémon lovers. Thanks to Pokémon GO. The mobile app has already prompted an increase in sales for both the Pokémon video games and the traditional Pokémon card game. With what is sure to be a highly-anticipated addition to the worldwide phenomenon on it's way, the overwhelming Pokémon frenzy probably won't be going away anytime soon.

So, in the meantime, continue catching them all. The live-action Pokémon movie is set to begin production come 2017.

Images: Pokémon USA/Nintendo