Report says film studios are vying for the Pokémon live-action movie rights

According to a The Hollywood Reporter report, three film studios are vying for the Pokémon live-action movie rights. As one of the most popular children franchises worldwide, Pokémon is the topic of a top-secret film rights auction, with Legendary Entertainment (owned by Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda Group), Warner Bros. and Sony as candidates.

Legendary is currently producing the Warcraft film and has worked on the 2014 Godzilla film along with Toho, but the political tensions between China and Japan could bring a stop to the relationship between Legendary and Nintendo due to China’s territorial plans in the South China Sea.

Since 2014, Nintendo has been planing to open up its library of game properties to other expand into areas outside of gaming. The filming industry is one area Nintendo has not had a firmed presence on.

Also, The Pokémon Company released yesterday two new trailers for its upcoming film Pokémon XY & Z: Volcanion to Karakuri no Magerana (Pokémon the Movie XY & Z: Volcanion and the Tricky Magearna, not official translation).

Would Nintendo want to follow the steps of DC Comics and Marvel when it comes to bringing its characters to the big screen?

[Source]: The Hollywood Reporter: Pokemon Movie Rights Bidding War as China’s Legendary Makes Big Play for Japanese Property.