Will The Mobile Suits Get A Chance To Shine?
As you can imagine, moviegoers are pretty excited about Steven Spielberg’s latest project; Ready Player One. The whole thing looks like one massive love letter to the games, films and fandoms that many of us grew up with. Fans especially lost it when they saw a certain giant robot make its onscreen debut at the end of the trailer; the RX-78 Gundam.
The poster boy of the original Mobile Suit Gundam anime, it just goes to show just how impactful the franchise has been over the years, which sort of begs the question why western studios haven’t tried to adapt it yet?
And no, we are not taking into consideration the abomination that was G-Saviour.Â
Given the infamous reputation of Michael Bay’s Transformers as well as the recent slew of live-action anime failures like Ghost in the Shell and Death Note, we can kind of see why many would be sceptical of blending the two genres together. However, should Ready Player One prove to be a massive success, hopefully it may prompt some filmmakers to consider adapting one of the numerous Gundam series to the big or small screen. After all, you know what Netflix is like!
If such a thing were to happen, we feel these three series have the biggest potential to be successes, each bringing their own unique tale of war and tragedy to a new audience.
#3: “Mobile Suit Gundam: Thunderbolt” (2015-17)
While more bare bones in comparison to some of its counterparts, this little snapshot of the 100 Year War between the Principality of Zeon and the Earth Federation is nonetheless as gritty as it is compelling. Focusing on the conflict between two ace pilots and the hardships they have had to endure for their cause, a live-action version would have plenty of room to develop each of the cast. Needless to say, they would have to bring out all the stops in order to faithfully portray that majestic final clash between the Full Armor Gundam and the Psycho Zaku. Hopefully they choose to keep in all of Io’s iconic jazz tunes as well!
#2: “Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans” (2015-17)
Stepping away from other continuities to deliver its own grim narrative, this series managed to give us all the mecha action we could want while also exploring dark subject matters such as child soldiers, government corruption and prejudice. The members of Tekkadan are so rich in personality that seeing their exploits reinvigorated into a live-action series would make for a wholly engrossing experience, just as long as they are treated with as much care as they were in the anime. Bonus points if you nail the casting of McGillis Fareed!
#1: “Mobile Suit Gundam” (1979-80)
The original epic that’s still inspiring spinoffs and follow-ups, there’s no better template for a Gundam adaptation that Amuro Ray’s unwilling introduction to the 100 Year War. As long as they nail the appearance and feel of the Mobile Suit battles, make the RX-78 look as slick as possible, and for the love of everything make sure they get the best man possible to play the living legend that is Char Aznable. As long as those components are top tier, we can’t see this failing as a Netflix or film series. Maybe Spielberg will answer the call?
Be sure to check out our video below to see our picks for the Top 10 Gundam Mecha!Â