Netflix has officially moved forward with production on its live-action adaptation of the iconic Japanese sci-fi franchise "Gundam," with filming now underway in Australia and a cast led by Sydney Sweeney and Noah Centineo.

The project marks one of Netflix’s most high-profile anime adaptations to date, bringing to life a franchise that has become a cornerstone of global pop culture since its debut in 1979.

Directed by "Sweet Tooth" showrunner Jim Mickle, the film will reportedly feature an original story set within the Gundam universe. It follows rival mech pilots fighting on opposing sides of a long-running war between Earth and its space colonies. As tensions escalate and shifting loyalties blur the lines of conflict, the story builds toward a mission that could alter the future of humanity.

Sweeney leads the cast, joined by Centineo. Both also serve as producers on the project.

They are joined by a supporting ensemble that includes Michael Mando, Nonso Anozie, Jackson White, Shioli Kutsuna, Javon “Wanna” Walton, Oleksandr Rudynskyi, Ida Brooke, Gemma Chua-Tran, and Jason Isaacs.

Production is a collaboration between Legendary Pictures and Bandai Namco Filmworks, the original rights holder of the Gundam franchise, with additional producing support from Jim Mickle, Linda Moran, and others across both Hollywood and Japanese production teams.

First launched in 1979 by creator Yoshiyuki Tomino, Gundam helped pioneer the “real robot” genre of anime, shifting giant robot narratives toward more grounded military and political storytelling. Its influence has since expanded across television, film, model kits, and global fandoms.

Netflix’s adaptation signals another major step in its ongoing push into large-scale live-action versions of established anime properties. With Sweeney at the forefront—one of Hollywood’s most in-demand young stars—the project is already drawing attention for both its casting power and the scale of its ambition.