‘Had to look that up. No idea what Gundam was’—Fans poke fun at the first poster for the live-action ‘GUNDAM’ movie

You would assume that fans would be giddy with anticipation when an anime franchise as iconic as Mobile Suit Gundam announced it would be making its live-action debut. Well, sort of. Fans' reactions to the first poster for the live-action Gundam film were mixed, ranging from inquisitive to wary to simply amusing.

Legendary and Bandai Namco are co-producing the project, which aims to make massive mecha fights a reality. However, the teaser poster left a lot of people perplexed. One user said:

"Had to look that up," which wonderfully captured the uncertainty. "No idea what Gundam was 🤪" is a response that many people who may not be familiar with the renowned mecha series may have heard.

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From hype to hilarity—how fans are reacting to the first teaser poster for the live-action Gundam film

As expected, Gundam fans were quick to voice their concerns, hopes, and jokes online. While some expressed genuine excitement, others weren’t as convinced, fearing that the live-action version might not do the original series justice. A user tweeted:

“Prayinnnnngggg they don’t ruin this…”—a sentiment shared by many who are skeptical of anime adaptations in Hollywood.

There is always that one optimist though, with a mysterious:

“Something is cooking.”

But whether that something is a cinematic masterpiece or a box-office disaster remains to be seen. The skepticism doesn’t end there. Another fan boldly predicted:

“This sh*t is gonna be so *ss,” while pairing their words with a snarky anime GIF that says, “I came to laugh at you.” Ouch.

Amid the uncertainty, one user dropped an unexpected reality check, pointing out that:

“This poster is over 5 years old,” questioning if anything meaningful has even changed since production began.

It is clear that while some are hopeful, others are ready to roast the film before it even takes off.

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Background on the live-action Gundam movie

Bandai Namco and Legendary, the production company behind visually stunning films like Dune and Godzilla vs. Kong, collaborated on the live-action Gundam movie. Gundam might be, to put it mildly, aesthetically striking with a resume like that. Known for his work on Sweet Tooth, Jim Mickle will take over as director. Since Gundam fans are renowned for their devotion to the original, his distinct style may bring new life to the genre, but it's also a dangerous bet.

For those who don't know, Mobile Suit Gundam started as an anime series in 1979 and swiftly rose to fame. The plot revolves around enormous human-piloted robots, referred to as "mobile suits," and includes intricate tales of politics, conflict, and personal development. Collectors still enjoy the plethora of spin-offs, films, and even model kits that the series gave rise to. It has always been challenging to adapt such a complex and adored universe into live-action, though.

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Can the live-action adaptation live up to expectations?

The Gundam fandom is fervent, and it makes sense that many of them are guardians of the franchise's heritage. The track record of live-action anime adaptations hasn't been great; previous attempts have either deviated too far from the original work or failed to convey the charm that initially made the anime so popular. However, the Gundam film still has an opportunity to make an impression thanks to Legendary's involvement and Mickle's distinctive directing.

Memes and praise will continue to dominate the online conversation while we wait for further information. Regardless of whether you are a die-hard Gundam fan or you're just now learning about the anime, one thing is certain: the road to this movie's premiere will be an exciting one.