Deadpool To Star In Pokemon Movie ‘Detective Pikachu’

You don’t become a four-quadrant, global star by sticking with R-rated movies. While Ryan Reynolds has revitalized his career and #brand thanks to “Deadpool,” outside the franchise, he still remains a dicey prospect (“The Hitman’s Bodyguard” did decent numbers, but “Criminal” didn’t, and everyone slept on “Life“). Basically, you can’t make a living as an actor only starring in adult oriented fare, so Reynolds is gonna make something for the kids.

Somehow, the actor has been convinced to sign up to star in the live-action Pokemon movie “Detective Pikachu.” Seriously. Justice Smith (“Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom“) and Kathryn Newton (“Big Little Lies“) will star in the movie, penned by Alex Hirsch (“Gravity Falls“) and Nicole Perlman (“Guardians Of The Galaxy“) that will be about capturing Pokemon or whatever. Believe it or not, Reynolds will actually play the title role, with the character busting into action when a teenage boy teams with a “sassy journalist” to help find his kidnapped father. My brain hurts already.

Rob Letterman (“Goosebumps“) will direct, and if you’re praying that this might die in development hell, guess again. Production begins in January, meaning this will probably clog up a multiplex near you in 2019. [THR]