The upcoming live-action Pokémon film, Detective Pikachu, continues to gain traction. Variety reports that the film has tapped Justice Smith, who audiences will recognize from the Netflix original series The Get Down. Smith also has a lead role in J.A. Bayona’s upcoming blockbuster Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.

On board to direct the film is Goosebumps director Rob Letterman, and the scribes are Gravity Falls creator Alex Hirsch and Captain Marvel writer Nicole Perlman.

RELATED – Detective Pikachu Cast Shortlist & Details Revealed — Who Could Voice Pikachu?

Detective Pikachu will be based on the game of the same name, which itself is a spinoff of the Pokémon brand. Audiences looking forward to the same cute and cuddly Pikachu we grew up with will be a bit disappointed. While still cute, this Pikachu is actually a hard-boiled detective with a grizzled voice to match.

The talent involved in the film so far gives us every reason to be excited for what’s to come, and more than anything, we’re excited to see who they’ll tap to voice Pikachu. Fans of the game are pulling for Danny DeVito, and while I can’t say I disagree, I’d almost be more up for someone like Nick Nolte, as unrealistic as it is.

Who would you like to see play Detective Pikachu? Let us know down below!

Detective Pikachu is rumored to begin production this coming January.

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SOURCE: Variety