Netflix is partnering with Tsuburaya Productions to develop a feature film from the Ultraman franchise. The streaming platform aims to bring the iconic superhero to a whole new and much wider audience.
Comic Book said that the announcement first came from Variety on Thursday. Shannon Tindle, who worked on several Laika films, including Kubo and the Two Strings and Coraline, will make a directorial debut with the upcoming computer-generated anime film.
He, also, wrote the script for the project, alongside Marc Haimes. As for John Aoshima, who previously worked on Gravity Falls and DuckTales, will co-direct.
Following the announcement, Tindle released a statement regarding his latest project, which he deems as a "dream come true." He stated that they have assembled an all-star team, adding that he cannot wait to share their "unique take on Ultraman with the rest of the world." He, also, expressed his gratitude toward the people at Netflix Animation, as well as Tsuburaya Productions.
CEO Takayuki Tsukagoshi, later on, shared his thoughts about the project and partnership with Netflix. He said that it will be "the first full-scale endeavor to reach the global market for Tsuburaya Productions." He, then, expressed his excitement about "families around the world [being] able to watch Shannon and his team's vision for Ultraman on Netflix."
No premiere date has been announced yet. Moreover, there are no hints given as to when it may likely arrive on Netflix.
Variety noted that the streaming platform is, also, a "home to an ongoing Ultraman animated TV series." The material continues the plots and storylines of the original 1960 Japanese show.
But, in the case of the upcoming CG-animated film, it will "strike out on its own with an all-new storyline designed to honor the past mythology." So, fans of the franchise may expect that they will witness a brand new setting, theme, and dynamic in the upcoming Ultraman film.
Despite the lack of information, reports provided the synopsis. As announced, the Netflix original CG-animated film will follow Ken Sato, who is a renowned baseball player.
He returns to Japan to carry the mantle of Ultraman. But, things get complicated for him when a newborn kaiju monster, "the offspring of his greatest enemy, comes his way. This sets the whole tone of the film as he raises the child as his own.
So far, these are the only details given about the upcoming Ultraman film on Netflix. More information will likely arrive in the next few months.
