# Detective Pikachu

> 2019 film directed by Rob Letterman

**Wikidata**: [Q47492499](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q47492499)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detective_Pikachu_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/detective-pikachu

## Summary
Detective Pikachu is a 2019 live-action film directed by Rob Letterman, based on the Pokémon franchise. It stars Ryan Reynolds as the voice of Pikachu and was produced by Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures.

## Key Facts
- Released on May 10, 2019, in the United States
- Directed by Rob Letterman
- Produced by Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures
- IMDb ID: tt5884052
- Rotten Tomatoes score: 68% (6/10)
- Metacritic score: 53/100
- Budget: $150 million
- Box office gross: $433.5 million worldwide
- Runtime: 104 minutes
- Based on the Pokémon franchise
- Part of the Pokémon film series

## FAQs
**What is Detective Pikachu about?**
Detective Pikachu follows a young man named Tim Goodman who teams up with a talking Pikachu to solve the mystery of his father's disappearance in Ryme City, where humans and Pokémon live together.

**Who stars in Detective Pikachu?**
Ryan Reynolds voices Detective Pikachu, while Justice Smith plays Tim Goodman. The cast also includes Kathryn Newton, Suki Waterhouse, Omar Chaparro, Chris Geere, Ken Watanabe, and Bill Nighy.

**Is Detective Pikachu part of the main Pokémon series?**
No, Detective Pikachu is a separate film set in a unique universe within the Pokémon franchise, not directly connected to the main anime series or other Pokémon films.

**What makes Detective Pikachu different from other Pokémon adaptations?**
Detective Pikachu is the first live-action Pokémon film, featuring photorealistic CGI Pokémon interacting with human actors in a film noir-style mystery setting.

## Why It Matters
Detective Pikachu represents a significant milestone in the Pokémon franchise as the first live-action theatrical film adaptation. It successfully translated the beloved characters into a realistic setting while maintaining their charm and appeal. The film's commercial success ($433.5 million box office) demonstrated the viability of live-action adaptations of video game properties and opened new possibilities for the Pokémon franchise in film. Its unique blend of mystery, comedy, and family-friendly adventure helped expand Pokémon's audience beyond traditional fans.

## Notable For
- First live-action theatrical Pokémon film
- Highest-grossing video game adaptation at the time of release
- Successfully adapted Pokémon into a realistic, film noir-style setting
- Featured photorealistic CGI Pokémon interacting with human actors
- Starred Ryan Reynolds as the voice of Pikachu
- Expanded the Pokémon franchise into new storytelling territory

## Body
### Production and Development
Detective Pikachu was developed as a live-action adaptation of the 2016 video game "Great Detective Pikachu." The project was announced in 2016 with Rob Letterman attached as director. The screenplay was written by Letterman, Dan Hernandez, Benji Samit, and Derek Connolly. Principal photography began in January 2018 in London and concluded in May 2018.

### Cast and Characters
Ryan Reynolds provides the voice and facial motion capture for Detective Pikachu, the wise-cracking, coffee-loving Pokémon partner to the human protagonist. Justice Smith stars as Tim Goodman, a young man searching for his missing father. Kathryn Newton plays Lucy Stevens, an aspiring reporter and Tim's ally. The film features numerous Pokémon characters rendered in photorealistic CGI, including Psyduck, Charizard, Mewtwo, and Bulbasaur.

### Visual Effects and Design
The film's visual effects were created by Moving Picture Company (MPC), Framestore, and DNEG. The team developed new technology to create realistic fur, skin, and textures for the Pokémon characters while maintaining their recognizable designs from the games and anime. Over 800 visual effects shots were created for the film.

### Music and Sound
Henry Jackman composed the film's score, blending orchestral elements with electronic and Pokémon-inspired themes. The soundtrack includes the song "Carry On" by Kygo featuring Rita Ora, which plays during the end credits.

### Release and Reception
Detective Pikachu premiered in Tokyo on May 3, 2019, and was released in the United States on May 10, 2019. The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the visual effects, Reynolds' performance, and its faithfulness to the source material while appealing to both fans and newcomers. It grossed $433,005,346 worldwide against a $150 million budget, making it the highest-grossing video game film adaptation at the time.

### Cultural Impact
The film's success led to increased interest in Pokémon media and merchandise. Its unique approach to adapting the franchise influenced discussions about future Pokémon projects and other video game adaptations. The film's portrayal of Ryme City, where humans and Pokémon coexist, expanded the Pokémon universe in new directions.

### Franchise Context
Detective Pikachu exists within the broader Pokémon franchise, which includes video games, trading card games, anime series, and numerous films. While not directly connected to the main anime continuity, it draws heavily from Pokémon lore and features many recognizable species. The film's success has led to discussions of potential sequels and further live-action adaptations within the Pokémon universe.

### Technical Specifications
The film was shot digitally using Arri Alexa cameras and presented in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio. It features Dolby Atmos sound mixing and was released in various formats including 2D, 3D, IMAX, and 4DX. The visual effects work involved creating over 50 different Pokémon species with unique movement patterns and behaviors.

### Distribution
Warner Bros. Pictures handled distribution in most territories, while Toho-Towa distributed the film in Japan. The film was released simultaneously in numerous countries and territories, with some variations in release dates due to regional considerations.

## References

1. Entertainment Identifier Registry
2. Pokémon Detective Pikachu. Rotten Tomatoes
3. [Source](http://nmhh.hu/dokumentum/198182/terjesztett_filmalkotasok_art_filmek_nyilvantartasa.xlsx)
4. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5884052/releaseinfo/)
5. BBC Things
6. Google Knowledge Graph
7. [Box Office Mojo](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt5884052/)
8. [Source](https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/detective-pikachu-2019)
9. [Source](http://www.kijkwijzer.nl/index.php?id=26&i=738312)
10. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/pokemon-detective-pikachu/)
11. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
12. [Source](https://www.eirin.jp/list/index.php?s_year=2019&s_month=4&e_year=2019&e_month=4&pageID=2)
13. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/150811)
14. [Source](https://justica.gov.br/news/collective-nitf-content-1557418883.78)
15. Brazilian Advisory Rating System
16. [Source](http://infoicaa.mecd.es/CatalogoICAA/infofilm/12319/34/12319/1/209.pdf)
17. [Source](http://cnc.abt.ro/registru/index.aspx?pageID=3&filmID=16154)
18. [Source](https://www.zhihu.com/search?q=%E5%A4%A7%E4%BE%A6%E6%8E%A2%E7%9A%AE%E5%8D%A1%E4%B8%98&type=content#大侦探皮卡丘&大侦探皮卡丘)
19. [Source](http://www.rtc.gob.mx/NuevoSitio/cine_clasif_35mm.php?cd=478)
20. [Source](http://fpbquery.fpb.org.za/erms/film_details.aspx?ref=82738)
21. Bechdel Test Movie List
22. [Source](https://imdaonline.imda.gov.sg/classification/Search/Film/SearchDetail.aspx?sType=Feature&sRowID=AAAbRZAANAAAF2uAAE)
23. [Pokemon: Detective Pikachu (2019 Movie) - Behind The Voice Actors](https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/movies/Pokemon-Detective-Pikachu/)
24. Danish Film Database
25. [Source](https://www.rcq.gouv.qc.ca/RCQ212AfficherFicheTech.asp?intNoFilm=414695)
26. [Source](http://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/C503D9610040A6F8)
27. The Movie Database
28. Trakt.tv
29. FilmVandaag.nl