Variety is reporting that the upcoming Pokémon spinoff live-action film, Detective Pikachu, is currently in talks with Big Little Lies actress Kathryn Newton to take the female lead role.

For those who still may not recognize the name, she played the role of Abigail, Reese Witherspoon’s character’s daughter. Newton also plays a character in the acclaimed indie flick Lady Bird, and another acclaimed indie flick Three Billboards Outside Ebbings, Missouri. In short, this girl is garnering a lot of legit acting credibility in these roles, and with Detective Pikachu, it looks like she may be crossing over into the mainstream.

Starring opposite her will be The Get Down’s Justice Smith.

Detective Pikachu is based on the spinoff game of the same name. While the game itself has the name “Pikachu” attached to it, less familiar fans should not expect this to be the same cutesy Pikachu that’s graced the anime for the past 20 years.

This Pikachu is a grizzled detective, with a dark history, and voice to match.

With that in mind, we’re really anxious to see what direction the film will go in casting the voice of Pikachu himself. Who will be a good fit for the broken Pokémon? We’ll have to wait and see.

Detective Pkachu is rumored to begin filming in January of next year. We can only imagine that that casting decision will be made very soon.

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SOURCE: Variety