Pokémon Detective Pikachu 2 summons Portlandia co-creator Jonathan Krisel to direct the live-action sequel

I choose you, Jonathan Krisel, to direct Pokémon Detective Pikachu 2 for Legendary! Well, I’m not picking you; the studio is. Do you know what I mean? Nevermind. Portlandia co-creator Jonathan Krisel is preparing for trouble and is ready to make it double while negotiating to shoot the live-action Pokemon sequel to 2019’s Pokémon Detective Pikachu. Chris Galletta is writing the script, and sources believe Ryan Reynolds, who voices Detective Pikachu in the original film, will be involved in the sequel.

Rob Letterman directs the 2019 original film, starring Reynolds as Detective Pikachu, Ken Watanabe, Justice Smith, and Kathryn Newton. In Letterman’s film, a young man living in a world where people collect Pokémon to battle teams up with Pikachu to solve the mystery behind his father’s mysterious death.

Pokémon Detective Pikachu collected $430 million at the worldwide box office, becoming one of the most successful films based on a video game property. Pokémon is a sensational brand that generations have embraced for over 25 years. The expansive video game series has sold over 440 million units worldwide and tens of billions of Pokémon trading cards. Trying to estimate the amount of money accumulated by selling Pokémon-branded merch is a fool’s errand. I won’t do it, and you can’t make me.

There’s also the Pokémon animated series, which recently concluded the story of Pokémon trainer Ash Ketchum after 25 seasons of pocket monster-catching adventures. Beamed out to 177 countries worldwide, few places on the planet yet to experience the delights of creatures that shout their names while melting another Pokémon’s face with a powerful attack. Don’t worry, though. Pokémon don’t die, they faint. At least, that’s what they say.

Are you excited by the prospect of Pokémon Detective Pikachu 2? The original film received high praise from fans and critics alike. Does Legendary have what it takes to recapture the thrill of the original while creating something new? Will Justice Smith or Kathryn Newton reprise their roles? Should the sequel focus on a different Pokémon? Which Pokémon would that even be? Snorlax? Lucario? Umbreon? With 1015 Pokémon to choose from, the possibilities are endless!