The popularity of Pokémon has enchanted fans for ages and there was a huge demand for a live-action Pikachu film. Legendary Pictures and Toho along with a few studios finally decided to bring the narrative in the form of live-action Detective Pikachu.
The success of the Pokémon franchise is unfathomable as it has collected over $88 billion, setting records to become the highest-grossing franchise ever. The news of Pokémon Detective Pikachu being rolled out was enough to create an uproar among fans and the studios were looking for big stars as well.
The Race For Detective Pikachu
The role of Detective Pikachu in the live-action Pokémon Detective Pikachu was tempting for many industry prominent a-lister stars. As per The Hashtag Show, Hugh Jackman, Mark Wahlberg, Ryan Reynolds, and Dwayne Johnson were in the mix for the studio’s consideration for the role. Of course, a big name was supposedly one of the ingredients for the success of the movie.
Wahlberg, without prior vice acting experience, was a little behind the race, while the other stars Johnson, Jackman, and Reynolds had lent their voices before in films. Before the Pikachu casting race, Johnson voiced as demi-god Maui in Disney’s Moana, the Easter Bunny in Rise of the Guardians was voiced by Jackman, while Reynolds voiced two different roles in two different movies— Turbo and The Croods. Of course, the producers went ahead with Reynolds, but the race proved the gravity of the project as Jackman and Wahlberg almost stole the role from under Reynold’s nose.
Although the report stated that no meeting has taken place with the actors for further discussion, Ryan’s involvement perhaps seemed to be the perfect fit for the studio.
Ryan Reynolds on Becoming Pikachu
Reynolds was completely immersed in the idea of becoming Pikachu. “You know I lived it I breathed it I became the character I spent the entire year as Detective Pikachu,” Reynolds revealed in a video on his YouTube channel. The actor also revealed that the role was important to him. The actor further revealed that he left his daughters at school when he got the role.
“Bringing Detective Pikachu to the big screen is a privilege that I don’t take lightly. Every second of my energy is spent making this character come alive with the same exacting standards that the most discerning fans would have come to expect. Now, as many of you know I vanish into my roles. You know, this is a funny anecdote. I was on my way to pick up my daughters from school when I heard that I got the role. Well, I didn’t show up at school because Detective Pikachu, he doesn’t know who those two little girls are who are they?”
Reynolds’ wife Blake Lively confirmed the fact that the actor left his daughters at school. “They’re our daughters. He just, he just left them,” Lively said. Reynolds further stated that he lived at the “little yellow guy’s” height, and attempted to lose 182 pounds to match Pikachu’s weight until doctors intervened.
Made with $150 million, Detective Pikachu reportedly made $433 million at the box office marking its success. The Rob Letterman-directed movie was released on 3 May 2019.
Source: Gamespot
