Legendary Brings Nightshade's Mickle And Moran Onboard For Live-Action 'Gundam'

TV & Film

Nov 12

Jim Mickle, known for his work as the showrunner on Netflix’s Sweet Tooth, is stepping into the director’s chair for the much-anticipated live-action Gundam adaptation. Co-developed by Legendary and Bandai Namco Filmworks, Mickle will write, direct, and produce the adaptation through his Nightshade production company alongside his partner Linda Moran. While the film’s plot details remain under wraps, it’s expected to go into production in early 2025, marking the first live-action feature in Gundam’s storied history.

Yoshiyuki Tomino created Gundam, now a cornerstone of the mecha genre and spans eighty-three animated series and films. It’s also a merchandising powerhouse, generating over $600 million annually through its extensive retail action figure business. Legendary has long been committed to bringing Gundam to live-action, previously developing a project with Netflix and Kong: Skull Island director Jordan Vogt-Roberts. However, both have since stepped away, giving Mickle the reins.

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Mickle’s reputation for genre storytelling is well-deserved. His work on Sweet Tooth, an adaptation of Jeff Lemire’s Vertigo comic, acclaimed him for his ability to weave heart into high-concept fantasy, earning the series a 97% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 20 Emmy nominations across three seasons. Beyond Sweet Tooth, Mickle broke onto the scene with Stake Land, which won the Midnight Madness award at the Toronto International Film Festival. His filmography also includes We Are What We Are and Cold in July, both of which premiered to positive receptions at Sundance and Cannes.

With Mickle’s skill for blending rich, character-driven storytelling with imaginative world-building, this live-action Gundam adaptation is shaping up to be an exciting chapter for the franchise.

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