AceShowbiz - Netflix is expanding the cast of its highly anticipated live-action adaptation of Gundam, adding a familiar face from the superhero genre. Canadian actor Michael Mando, who will portray a villain in the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day, has officially joined the project. He will star alongside Sydney Sweeney, who is set to lead the film.

Michael Mando is no stranger to complex roles, having gained considerable attention for his portrayal of Nacho in AMC’s critically acclaimed Better Call Saul. His involvement in the Spider-Man universe began with a smaller role as Mac Gargan in Spider-Man: Homecoming, but this summer, he is set to take on the full mantle of the supervillain Scorpion in the new Spider-Man cinematic release. Besides these high-profile projects, Mando is also slated to star in Prime Video’s Criminal, a TV adaptation of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips' crime graphic novels, and Netflix’s comedy film 72 Hours alongside Kevin Hart.

The live-action Gundam film is a co-production between Netflix and Legendary, with production scheduled to begin next month in Australia. While plot details remain tightly under wraps, the movie is based on the iconic anime franchise created in 1979 by Yoshiyuki Tomino. The franchise is known for its futuristic wars fought between Earth and the Principality of Zeon, a coalition of rebellious space colonies, with battles featuring massive piloted robotic mecha suits. Fans are eager to see which elements of the sprawling Gundam universe the film will adapt.

Writing and directing duties are being handled by Jim Mickle, known for his work on Sweet Tooth. Mickle will also produce the film alongside his partner Linda Moran through their production company Nightshade. Additional producers include Noah Centineo, who also stars in the movie, and his partner Enzo Marc. The cast features Sydney Sweeney, Jason Clarke (known for Oppenheimer), and Michael Mando, promising a strong ensemble.

Though this is often cited as the first live-action Gundam film, it is not entirely accurate. Back in 1999, Sunrise commissioned G-Saviour, a Canadian-made direct-to-DVD movie set decades after the original anime series. It starred Kenneth Welsh of Twin Peaks fame and was part of the franchise’s 20th-anniversary celebrations. However, this new Netflix adaptation aims to bring the franchise to a wider global audience with contemporary production values and a fresh take on the story.

As production gears up in Australia, no official release date has been announced yet. Fans of the Gundam franchise and science fiction enthusiasts alike will want to keep a close eye on updates from Netflix and Legendary as this ambitious project unfolds. With a talented cast including Michael Mando and Sydney Sweeney, and a visionary director in Jim Mickle, the live-action Gundam film is poised to be a major event in the world of sci-fi cinema.

Stay tuned for more news on the casting, storyline, and production progress as Netflix prepares to launch this new chapter in the beloved Gundam saga.