'Detective Pikachu' Will Print Money Thanks to Ryan Reynolds

When I saw there’d be a live-action Pokémon movie, I fully expected a disaster. Not that I’m an expert on these things, I just didn’t see how they could make it work with the CGI. From what we saw in the trailer, it looks like Warner Brothers, Legendary Entertainment and The Pokémon Company hired the right concept artist because whether it’s Charizard, Mr. Mime or Pikachu, every character in the trailer looksgreat.

Speaking of the main character, they’ve already won over millions by hiring Ryan Reynolds. Whoever came up with that idea deserves a raise or a huge bonus because now Warner Brothers, Legendary Entertainment and The Pokémon Company are just printing money.

Seriously, how could you not want to see this?

Pikachu was the loyal, lovable, reliable character so many grew up with. It’s certainly the most popular Pokémon. Now, you’ve gone and taken something that’s cute as a button and essentially given control of it to Deadpool.

It is such a ridiculous contrast that it just might work.

Who cares if it’s a buddy-cop movie with a corny ending? It’s going to give you interactions with a ton of pokémon, with dialogue driven by Van Wilder!

To be perfectly clear, Reynolds is the only reason this movie has become a must-see for everyone, not just kids. As great as the pokémon look, they’re not enough to drive the average fan, or those who loved it as a kid and have since grown up, back to the theater.

But you give Pikachu an edge, something no one has ever remotely considered, and you are in business. I just imagine hearing endless off-color comments coming from the cute, fluffy creature, that sounds like the guy who pulled a Sharon Stone on Josh Brolin in Deadpool 2.

He'll probably be a bit subtler than he is in other roles, as to not upset the children. And, honestly, it’d a bit much if Pikachu started dropping certain four-letter words or discusses obscene acts. But Reynolds, and I’m sure the writers, have a good feel for how far they can push the envelope.

As I sit and think on it more, just imagine this...no one in the world can understand Ryan Reynolds because he is trapped in the body of a fluffy, little yellow creature and all anyone hears out of his mouth are “Pika! Pika!” That might be the funniest thing ever. I’d consider seeing that movie on that description alone. Combine that with Pokémon and it’s a no-brainer.

To be honest, I don’t know how someone didn’t come up with this idea sooner. And no matter what happens with this movie, I fully expect we’ll get a sequel.

I think this movie will get the hardcore superhero fans and the fans that have come along with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s not in the same universe, obviously, but they’re in the same family. The same people who grew up on Batman: The Animated Series and/or X-Men: The Animated Series more than likely loved Pokémon, too.

Detective Pikachu will probably the people who liked the superhero genre but are growing a bit weary. Because it’s not a superhero movie, as much as it’s still a prominent part of nerd culture.

Don’t get me wrong, the people in Hollywood moaning about there being “too many superhero movies” will still whine. Who cares what they think though? (For what it’s worth, someone should tell those people, “too many superhero movies,” doesn’t make sense. It’s like saying, “the sky isn’t blue,” or “it only snows when it’s warm out.” It doesn’t make sense.)

This could even reel in the small number of people who never hopped on the superhero train, but love comedy. Reynolds in this role could have that type of impact.

Essentially, this movie should be the biggest hit ever, and the only people who won’t watch it are people 65 and over and the people in Hollywood who refuse to have fun.

In all seriousness though, I do think this will generate revenue that rivals the major MCU hits. Pokémon has too wide a reach for this to not be a hit. Factor in nostalgia, Reynolds and the fact that the trailer continues to bang out views, and I only see this turning into a box office hit.

Which is good for Warner Brothers. Nice of them to mix things up a bit.