17 Nov – More than a year after it was announced that there is a live-action "Pokemon" movie in the making, finally there's an actor attached to the project. Justice Smith has been tapped to star in the movie, "Detective Pikachu", Variety reports, making him the first official cast member to be revealed. It was not let known, however, what role the 22-year-old will play in the upcoming movie.
Fans would remember Smith from the Cara Delevingne-starrer "Paper Towns" and will be seen next alongside Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard in next year's "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom". He also stars in Netflix series "The Get Down" as the lead, Ezekiel Figuero.
Not much is known about the live-action "Pokemon" adaptation at the moment, except that it will be directed by "Goosebumps" helmer Rob Letterman from a script penned by Nicole Perlman and Alex Hirsch. Though it was revealed last month that the story would revolve around teenage trainers Tim, who is looking for his missing father with Pikachu, and Lucy, who is investigating – along with her Psyduck – about Pokemons attacking their trainers. Smith could be playing Tim while the titular gruff-talking Pikachu might be voiced by either Hugh Jackman or Dwayne Johnson, who are reportedly being eyed for the voice role. We should have more info by the time "Detective Pikachu" begins filming in January 2018.