Netflix’s Live-Action Gundam Begins Filming in Australia with Sweeney and Centineo
A live-action Gundam movie that has been in development since 2018 is finally progressing, with Sydney Sweeney of Euphoria and Noah Centineo of Street Fighter set to star. The project marks Netflix’s ambitious entry into a long-beloved Japanese franchise that started with Mobile Suit Gundam in 1979. At its core, Gundam is a space opera about a devastating war between Earth and its former space colonies, where pilots control towering robotic suits in high-stakes combat.
The Gundam universe spans more than 50 television shows and films across multiple timelines, cementing its status as a pioneering force in the Mecha genre and fueling a global fascination with giant mechs. After seeing the success of other big-budget adaptations such as Transformers, Pacific Rim, and Godzilla, Netflix is moving forward with a live-action take that aims to capture the franchise’s scale and drama.
Details released by Netflix confirm that filming has kicked off in Australia, with a story that unfolds as shifting loyalties and a growing threat push rival mech pilots onto a collision course. The project promises “a high-stakes race across the stars” and a blend of spectacular battles with intimate human emotion, all grounded in an original narrative within the Gundam universe.
Jim Mickle, known for steering the Sweet Tooth series, is directing. The cast also includes Jason Isaacs, Javon Walton (Ashtray from Euphoria), Michael Mando, Nonso Anozie, Jackson White, Shioli Kutsuna, Oleksandr Rudynskyi, Ida Brooke, and Gemma Chua-Tran. Notably, the film is described as a brand-new story rather than a direct adaptation of a specific manga, signaling Netflix’s intent to offer an original Gundam experience while leveraging the franchise’s deep lore.
Netflix has already demonstrated success with other manga-to-live-action projects, but only time will tell how Gundam will resonate on screen. As development continues, fans can keep an eye on the project for more casting updates and a potential release window. In the meantime, you might want to browse our list of most-anticipated movies of 2026 and consult our 2026 release calendar for other upcoming titles.