Bleach is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary and fans are looking forward to the anime returning with Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 3 later this fall.
While fans are eager to see what might happen in the next phase of the anime, this may not be the only new Bleach project to look forward to in the future.
According to a new report from DanielRPK (a reliable source), a new live-action Bleach movie is in the works at Warner Bros. Pictures, as they are currently looking for a writer and director for the project. If the report is accurate, it would mean that Bleach would be the next major manga and anime franchise to be targeted for a live-action film adaptation, with a Hollywood project in the works.
This will be the latest in a wave of Shonen Jump franchises that are making their way into Hollywood with their Hollywood properties like Naruto, One Piece, and One-Punch Man.
Anime adapted into live-action movies in Hollywood
If Bleach does indeed get a live-action adaptation from Warner Bros. Pictures, it would be the latest in a wave of new live-action anime adaptations in various stages of development. While new live-action projects have been announced for Sword Art Online and others, it seems the success of Netflix's One Piece and Avatar: The Last Airbender is making the concept that much more appealing.
The rapid and explosive success of those shows with fans has certainly caught the attention of those who are nurturing projects to adapt anime into live-action films.
Just in the last year, or more specifically the past few months, it seems like these projects are moving forward faster and looking more promising for the future. Naruto recently signed on with director Destin Daniel Cretton (who is set to direct Spider-Man 4), and Legendary Entertainment is also moving forward with their live-action My Hero Academia film. One Punch Man is also moving forward with Sony Pictures.
Does Bleach need a live-action movie?
For those worried about whether a live-action Bleach movie is necessary or a bad idea, there is already a successful live-action Bleach movie released in Japan. Directed by Shunsuke Sato, the first live-action Bleach movie was released in 2018, adapting the first season of Tite Kubo's original manga.
The live action film of Bleach is based on the manga of the same name by famous author Tite Kubo.
Unfortunately, this movie did not achieve the success that fans expected. It was not continued with a sequel as the final moments of the movie revealed.
It's not that the quality of the film itself wasn't well received by fans. The film made a big splash thanks to its innovative take on action.
All of this is to say that the framework is in place and the precedent is set for a successful live-action Bleach adaptation. If Warner Bros. Pictures does indeed move forward with the project, which is confirmed to be in the works, fans can expect a compelling film.
