Netflix’s first live action Gundam movie just got a serious upgrade. 1Michael Mando, the Better Call Saul alum, has signed on to star in the highly anticipated film, joining a growing roster of talent that is turning this anime adaptation into one of the most exciting projects on Netflix’s slate. With cameras set to roll in Australia next month, things are moving fast.
Who Is Joining the Gundam Cast
1 Mando has closed a deal to join Netflix and Legendary’s live action Gundam movie, according to sources who spoke to Deadline. 1 Both his role and the film’s plot are being kept under wraps. 1 He joins the previously announced Sydney Sweeney and Noah Centineo in the cast. 8 Shioli Kutsuna, known for her role in the Deadpool franchise, has also landed a role alongside them. And just days later, 13 Gemma Chua-Tran from Heartbreak High became the latest addition to the ensemble.
One key update that fans should note: 8Jason Clarke, who was previously eyeing a role in Gundam, has since fallen off the project, according to Deadline. 4Gabriel Basso from The Night Agent has reportedly been in talks to join the film as well.
Here is the confirmed cast so far:
| Actor | Known For |
|---|---|
| Sydney Sweeney | Euphoria, The Housemaid |
| Noah Centineo | To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, Street Fighter |
| Michael Mando | Better Call Saul, Spider-Man: Homecoming |
| Shioli Kutsuna | Deadpool 2, Deadpool & Wolverine |
| Gemma Chua-Tran | Heartbreak High |
Michael Mando Netflix Gundam live action movie cast announcement 2026
What We Know About the Story
26
Reports suggest Sweeney plays “a young woman on a mission to avenge her father,” with Centineo as her rival and love interest.
That setup mirrors the star crossed romance from The 08th MS Team. 26A forbidden bond between a Federation officer and a woman from Zeon is at the heart of that original anime, and this film appears ready to capture that emotional core for a global audience.
Who Is Behind the Camera
8 Sweet Tooth showrunner Jim Mickle is directing from his own script and producing alongside his partner Linda Moran through their production company Nightshade, along with Centineo and his partner Enzo Marc. 1 The project is co-developed by Legendary and franchise owner Bandai Namco Filmworks, making this Gundam movie the first in live action. Netflix secured the distribution rights back in January 2026 after a competitive bidding process.
The road here was long. 10Netflix had announced in November 2021 that it would stream an earlier version of the project, with Jordan Vogt-Roberts as director and comic book author Brian K. Vaughan writing the script. Both eventually departed, and 23by 2024, it was reported that Mickle would take over as the film’s director and writer, with Sweeney circling the project in 2025.
10 An interesting piece of history: a Gundam Unicorn cameo in Pacific Rim: Uprising actually helped create the relationship between Sunrise and Legendary Pictures, setting the stage for talks about a Gundam film.
Michael Mando’s Packed 2026 Schedule
Mando is having a breakout year across multiple genres. His calendar reads like a Hollywood wish list.
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 31, 2026): 4He will reprise his role as Mac Gargan, who will take his long awaited villainous turn and become the Scorpion. 4This marks his first time in the MCU since he debuted in 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming.
- 72 Hours (Netflix): 1A forthcoming comedy from Tim Story in which he stars alongside Kevin Hart.
- Criminal (Prime Video): 1He will star opposite Charlie Hunnam and Adria Arjona in the limited series based on the Marvel/Image comic book of the same name.
17 Mando is also the voice and likeness of Vaas Montenegro, a major antagonist of the 2012 video game Far Cry 3, a role that earned him a passionate following among gamers worldwide. 17 He joined the cast of Better Call Saul in 2014 and played Nacho Varga for all six seasons, earning nominations for his individual performance in the final season.
His ability to switch between menacing villains, complex antiheroes, and action roles makes him a perfect fit for whatever Gundam has in store.
Why This Film Could Change Everything for Anime Adaptations
The stakes could not be higher. 3The Gundam franchise now spans 83 animated series and movies, in addition to a merchandising arm that generates $600 million annually. Turning that legacy into a live action film that satisfies longtime fans while welcoming newcomers is the ultimate balancing act.
27 The film also reflects Netflix’s ongoing investment in live action anime adaptations. Following the success of projects like One Piece, the streamer has increasingly looked to adapt major anime properties for a global audience. Gundam fits perfectly into that strategy. 15 Filming is slated to begin in April 2026, though no official release date has been confirmed. 15 The possibility of a theatrical run before streaming also remains uncertain.
For fans who grew up watching mobile suits clash across the Universal Century, this is the moment they have waited decades to see. For everyone else, it is a chance to discover one of the most important sci-fi franchises ever created, brought to life by a cast and crew that clearly understand what is at stake. Drop your thoughts in the comments below and let us know which character you think Michael Mando should play.
