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Recent Pokémon leaks revealed more than just clues about upcoming games in the franchise; they hinted at the future of the Detective Pikachu movies. While the live-action Detective Pikachu film was a commercial success, a sequel has remained elusive—until now.
The 2019 Detective Pikachu film, directed by Shark Tale’s Rob Letterman, saw Ryan Reynolds lending his voice to the titular Pokémon alongside Dungeons & Dragons actor Justice Smith as Tim Goodman, a young man seeking answers to his father’s mysterious disappearance. Set in the vibrant Ryme City, where humans and Pokémon coexist, the film grossed $450 million worldwide, briefly holding the record for the highest-grossing video game adaptation until 2023’s Super Mario Bros. Movie. Despite mixed reviews, the film won fans over with its endearing portrayal of Pokémon.
In early October, Pokémon developer Game Freak was hit by a security breach that leaked confidential data, including potential game developments and—interestingly—a sequel to Detective Pikachu. According to sources like ComicBook.com, the sequel is tentatively titled The Great Detective Pikachu, with Jordan Vogt-Roberts (Kong: Skull Island) allegedly attached to direct since 2021. However, with Vogt-Roberts now lined up for Metal Gear Solid and Gundam adaptations, it’s uncertain if he remains involved in this Pokémon project.
The last official update came in 2023, when Deadline reported that Jonathan Krisel, co-creator of Portlandia, was in talks to direct, with Chris Galletta penning the script. Although Justice Smith, who starred as Tim Goodman, told Screen Rant he hadn’t heard of any new developments, the Pokémon leaks seem to indicate that an earlier version of the project may still be in consideration. However, the recent Writer’s Guild strike likely delayed many Hollywood productions, including this one.
Given the success of Detective Pikachu Returns, the latest game in the series, the appetite for more Detective Pikachu content remains strong. The franchise’s enduring popularity and high box office earnings suggest that even if the sequel is facing delays, there’s a good chance fans could see the lovable Pokémon detective back on the big screen—just as soon as the right creative team falls into place.
