The Pokémon Company are holding a now not so top-secret auction relating to the film rights for the franchise, which are said to be nearing completion.
Hollywood Reporter shares that it has become a three-way race, with Thomas Tull’s Legendary Entertainment, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, and Sony competing to secure the deal.
Those negotiations have been in relation to a desire to release a big-budget live-action Pokémon movie, and, while Warner Bros. were the early favourite, a source has apparently indicated that Legendary have recently become the frontrunner.
However, there is some concern surrounding the fact that Legendary are owned by Chinese conglomerate Wanda Group, as there has been increasing political tension and cultural pressure between China and Japan over the past few years.
Legendary has been involved with projects such as Godzilla and Jurassic World, as well as game properties like Dead Rising: Watchtower and Warcraft.
Legendary Entertainment, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Sony have all declined to comment when approached.
