Sydney Sweeney Nears Deal for Lead Role in Live-Action Gundam Film

Sydney Sweeney, known for her roles in HBO's "Euphoria," "The White Lotus," "Reality," "Anyone but You," and the superhero film "Madame Web," is reportedly in the final stages of negotiations to star in the live-action adaptation of the iconic anime and toy franchise, Mobile Suit Gundam. This exciting development comes on the heels of the February announcement that the project has entered production, with Bandai Namco and Legendary Entertainment signing on as co-financiers.

While the film, which has yet to receive an official title, is shrouded in mystery regarding its plot and character details, it is set to be both written and directed by Kim Mickle, the showrunner of "Sweet Tooth." The movie is slated for a global theatrical release, although no specific release window has been disclosed. Fans were given a glimpse of what's to come with the release of a teaser poster.

Gundam movie teaser poster.

Variety was the first to report on Sweeney's involvement in this highly anticipated project. Sweeney, who also ventured into producing with a movie based on a horror story from a Reddit thread last month, continues to expand her diverse portfolio in the entertainment industry.

Sydney Sweeney looks set to star in the Gundam movie. Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Vanity Fair.

Legendary and Bandai Namco have promised to steadily release more details as they are finalized. Mobile Suit Gundam, which first aired in 1979, revolutionized the "real robot anime" genre. It moved away from the traditional narrative of clear-cut good versus evil, instead offering a more nuanced portrayal of war, detailed scientific explorations, and complex human dramas. The series depicted robots not as heroes but as weapons, termed "mobile suits," sparking a significant cultural phenomenon.