It looks like a sequel to the live 2019 Pokémon outing, Detective Pikachu, is happening at last. Deadline reports that development on the follow-up is now underway, with Ghosted and The Lonely Island collaborator, Jonathan Krisel, now in talks to helm the project. The report also reveals that Detective Pikachu 2 is now being written by The Kings of Summer’s Chris Galletta.
One of the co-creators behind the sketch show Portlandia, Jonathan Krisel is also known for co-creating, directing and writing Baskets starring Zach Galifianakis for FX, directing and executive producing the supernatural sitcom Ghosted starring Adam Scott and Craig Robinson, and directing, writing, and executive producing Moonbase 8 for Showtime. Krisel has also collaborated with the comedic trio The Lonely Island for several Saturday Night Live sketches. Meaning the filmmaker has plenty of experience with the sorts of comedy that will no doubt sit at the center of Detective Pikachu 2.
Released in 2019 and directed by Rob Letterman, the first Detective Pikachu begins when ace detective Harry Goodman goes mysteriously missing, prompting his 21-year-old son, Tim, to find out what happened. Aiding in the investigation is Harry's former Pokémon partner, wise-cracking, adorable super-sleuth Detective Pikachu. Finding that they are uniquely equipped to work together, as Tim is the only human who can talk with Pikachu, they join forces to unravel the tangled mystery.
Starring Justice Smith, Kathryn Newton, Suki Waterhouse, Omar Chaparro, Chris Geere, Ken Watanabe, Bill Nighy, and Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds as the voice and facial motion capture of the titular Detective Pikachu, the first outing was met with largely positive reviews from critics, who applauded the visual effects used to bring the Pokémon into live action as well as Reynold’s performance.
Detective Pikachu 2 is Just One of Several New Pokémon Projects Currently in Development
While Legendary Entertainment did state that Detective Pikachu 2 is “in active development” earlier this month, the sequel has been far from a sure thing. Despite grossing a total of $433 million at the worldwide box office, there has been a giant question mark hovering over the project for some time, with star Justice Smith even stating that it would never happen.
"I would love to participate in Detective Pikachu 2. I don't know if it's going to happen,” he said. “I think we have to just kind of bury our hopes. I don't think it's going to happen. I really hope so though. Honestly, I'm such a huge fan, who knows, who knows? I hope so." Well, it now looks like Smith’s fears were misplaced.
Detective Pikachu 2 us far from the only upcoming project set in a world of pocket monsters. Brought to audiences by Netflix and The Pokémon Company, and realized in stop-motion by Dwarf Studios, the upcoming series Pokémon Concierge tells the story of Haru, a concierge at the Pokémon Resort, and her interactions with Pokémon and their owners who visit as guests.
Netflix is also developing a live action Pokémon series, which is now in early development, with Lucifer showrunner and executive producer Joe Henderson attached to both write and produce the project.
Detective Pikachu 2 does not yet have a release date.