In a casting coup that’s sending shockwaves through Hollywood and anime fandom alike, Noah Centineo is in advanced negotiations to join Sydney Sweeney in Legendary Entertainment’s ambitious live-action adaptation of the iconic ‘Gundam’ franchise. This development, first reported by industry insiders, promises to blend high-stakes mecha action with the star power of two of Gen Z’s most bankable talents, potentially redefining how classic anime translates to the big screen.
Centineo’s Pivot to Blockbuster Sci-Fi Roles
Noah Centineo, the 27-year-old heartthrob who skyrocketed to fame with Netflix rom-coms like ‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’ and ‘The Perfect Date,’ is eyeing a dramatic shift toward action-oriented projects. Sources close to the production reveal that Centineo has been in talks with Legendary for weeks, with discussions focusing on a co-lead role opposite Sweeney. His potential involvement marks a significant evolution for the actor, who has expressed interest in tackling more physically demanding and genre-bending characters.
Centineo’s recent credits include the military thriller ‘The Recruit’ on Netflix, where he showcased his ability to handle intense drama and action sequences. Insiders note that his charisma and everyman appeal make him a perfect fit for the ‘Gundam’ universe, which often centers on young protagonists thrust into interstellar conflicts. ‘Noah brings that relatable energy that could ground the fantastical elements of Gundam,’ one studio executive told Variety in a related interview. With his track record of drawing in younger audiences—his rom-coms have amassed over 500 million streaming hours on Netflix alone—this casting news could broaden the film’s appeal beyond hardcore anime fans.
The actor’s agency, CAA, has not commented officially, but representatives for Centineo confirmed that he is ‘exploring exciting opportunities in sci-fi.’ This comes at a pivotal time for Centineo, whose career has seen a mix of critical acclaim and commercial success. In 2023, he starred in the indie drama ‘Atlas,’ which grossed $150 million worldwide despite mixed reviews, proving his versatility. Fans on social media are already buzzing, with #CentineoInGundam trending on Twitter after the leak, amassing over 50,000 mentions in the first 24 hours.
Delving deeper into Centineo’s preparation, reports suggest he’s undergoing intensive training for the role, including mecha piloting simulations and martial arts sessions. Legendary, known for its visually stunning spectacles like ‘Godzilla vs. Kong,’ is reportedly investing heavily in practical effects to authentically capture the Gundam aesthetic. Centineo’s potential salary is estimated at $5-7 million, reflecting his rising status in Hollywood’s A-list contenders.
Sydney Sweeney’s Star Turn in Mecha Warfare
Sydney Sweeney, the 26-year-old breakout star of HBO’s ‘Euphoria’ and Sony’s ‘Anyone But You,’ has already been attached to the project in a lead role, and her chemistry with Centineo could be the film’s secret weapon. Sweeney’s involvement was announced earlier this year, positioning her as a fierce pilot in the sprawling ‘Gundam’ lore. Now, with Centineo potentially joining her, the duo’s on-screen pairing is generating early Oscar buzz for chemistry alone—though the film is still years from release.
Sweeney’s career trajectory has been meteoric; from her chilling performance as Cassie in ‘Euphoria,’ which earned her two Emmy nominations, to her box-office smash ‘Anyone But You,’ which pulled in $220 million globally on a modest budget. Her foray into sci-fi with ‘Madame Web’ earlier this year, despite its critical panning, demonstrated her willingness to tackle high-concept roles. ‘Sydney has this magnetic presence that lights up any screen, whether it’s drama or action,’ said director Denis Villeneuve in a recent podcast, praising her range—though he’s not attached to ‘Gundam.’
In the context of this casting news, Sweeney’s role is rumored to be that of a battle-hardened commander, drawing from the original ‘Mobile Suit Gundam’ series’ themes of war and morality. Production sources indicate that her character will share a complex dynamic with Centineo’s, possibly involving rivalry turning to alliance amid a galactic war. Sweeney’s advocacy for strong female leads aligns perfectly with Gundam’s evolution, where female characters have grown from supporting roles to central figures in spin-offs like ‘Gundam Wing’ and ‘Gundam 00.’
The actress’s social media following, exceeding 15 million on Instagram, has amplified the excitement. Posts teasing her involvement have garnered millions of likes, with fans speculating on her mech suit design. Legendary’s strategy here seems clear: leverage Sweeney’s youth appeal to tap into the $100 billion global anime market, projected to grow by 10% annually according to Statista reports.
Legendary’s Ambitious Bet on the Gundam Franchise
Legendary Entertainment, the powerhouse behind the MonsterVerse and ‘Dune,’ is pulling out all stops for this live-action ‘Gundam’ adaptation, with a budget rumored to exceed $200 million. The studio acquired the rights from Bandai Namco in 2021, aiming to launch a cinematic universe similar to Marvel’s. This casting news with Noah Centineo and Sydney Sweeney underscores Legendary’s commitment to star-driven narratives in adapting beloved IP.
The ‘Gundam’ franchise, launched in 1979 by Yoshiyuki Tomino, has sold over 500 million model kits worldwide and spawned countless anime series, films, and video games. Its core story revolves around massive piloted robots, or mobile suits, in a future Earth torn by colony wars. Legendary’s version is said to draw from the original Universal Century timeline but with modern twists, including diverse casting and updated socio-political themes like climate conflict and AI ethics.
Studio head Mary Parent emphasized in a recent earnings call that ‘Gundam represents the pinnacle of anime innovation, and we’re honored to bring it to live-action.’ With previous successes like ‘The Great Wall’ ($334 million gross), Legendary has a proven track record in genre films. However, challenges loom: past anime adaptations like ‘Ghost in the Shell’ (2017) faced backlash over whitewashing, so this project is under scrutiny for cultural fidelity. Bandai Namco executives have teased ‘authentic collaboration’ with Sunrise Studios, ensuring Japanese influences remain strong.
Financially, the project is a high-stakes gamble. Anime films like ‘Your Name’ have crossed $300 million, but live-action versions are rarer successes. Legendary’s partnership with Warner Bros. for distribution could push it to IMAX theaters, targeting a 2026 release. Early concept art leaked online shows hyper-realistic Gundams, fueling speculation and boosting stock prices for Bandai Namco by 3% post-announcement.
Fan Reactions and Industry Buzz Surrounding the Casting
The internet exploded with the casting news of Noah Centineo potentially joining Sydney Sweeney in ‘Gundam,’ with forums like Reddit’s r/Gundam subreddit seeing a 400% traffic spike. Fans are divided yet thrilled: purists worry about Hollywood-izing the mecha genre, while newcomers hail the fresh faces as a gateway drug to the franchise.
‘This could be the ‘Pacific Rim’ of Gundam—epic and accessible,’ tweeted influencer @AnimeNewsNet, whose post went viral with 200,000 retweets. Industry analysts, including those from Deadline Hollywood, predict the pairing could draw $500 million at the box office, citing Sweeney’s rom-com draw and Centineo’s streaming dominance. Quotes from casting director Nina Gold, who worked on ‘Game of Thrones,’ highlight the duo’s potential: ‘Noah and Sydney have that rare spark; they’ll make audiences root for their survival in those cockpits.’
Broader context includes Hollywood’s anime renaissance, with successes like Netflix’s ‘One Piece’ live-action series pulling 40 million views in its first weekend. This ‘Gundam’ project fits into Legendary’s slate, including ‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,’ which earned $570 million in 2024. Challenges persist, though—COVID delays and writers’ strikes pushed the timeline, but momentum is building with pre-vis effects testing underway in Los Angeles.
Social media metrics show #GundamLiveAction trending globally, with fan art of Centineo and Sweeney in pilot suits flooding TikTok, amassing 10 million views. Critics like those from The Hollywood Reporter caution against over-reliance on stars, urging focus on story, but the excitement is palpable. Veteran voice actor Crispin Freeman, who dubbed Gundam characters, endorsed the news: ‘If they capture the emotional depth, this could be legendary.’
Merchandise tie-ins are already in discussion, with Bandai planning real-scale Gundam models featuring the actors’ likenesses, potentially generating $50 million in pre-release revenue based on past franchise data.
Future Prospects and Production Milestones Ahead
As negotiations with Noah Centineo wrap up, Legendary’s ‘Gundam’ adaptation edges closer to principal photography, slated for early 2025 in New Zealand and Japan. Sydney Sweeney’s confirmed role sets the stage for a dynamic ensemble, with rumors swirling of additional casting like a veteran actor for the antagonist—possibly someone like Idris Elba.
The project’s implications extend beyond the screen: it could spark a new wave of anime adaptations, challenging studios to balance fidelity with innovation. For Centineo, a successful outing here might cement his transition to leading man in franchises, opening doors to Marvel or DC. Sweeney, meanwhile, stands to solidify her action-hero status, following in the footsteps of stars like Scarlett Johansson.
Looking ahead, fan events at Comic-Con 2025 could unveil the first trailer, building hype. With a global fanbase of 100 million, this film has the potential to redefine sci-fi cinema, blending Eastern storytelling with Western spectacle. Industry watchers predict it could gross over $800 million if it captures the franchise’s philosophical core amid explosive battles. As details emerge, the anticipation only grows—’Gundam’ is gearing up for liftoff.
