Detective Pikachu 2 finds director in Portlandia co-creator

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Ryan Reynolds will reportedly "have some part to play" in the sequel

Detective Pikachu
(Image credit: Warner Bros)

Detective Pikachu 2 reportedly has its eyes on Portlandia co-creator Jonathan Krisel to direct the sequel.

Per Deadline, Krisel is "in negotiations" to direct the sequel to the 2019 animated-live-action hybrid adaptation Detective Pikachu, with Chris Galletta writing the script. Galletta is best-known for writing the 2013 coming-of-age movie The Kings of Summer. Meanwhile, Krisel is probably best-known for Portlandia, but he also co-created, wrote, and directed the FX dramedy Baskets starring Zach Galifianakis. 

The first Detective Pikachu movie was directed by Rob Letterman and released in 2019 to both critical and box office success. It starred Ryan Reynolds as the titular Pokemon sleuth, with Justice Smith starring alongside Reynolds as the movie's lead human character, Tim Goodman, and Kathryn Newton as co-star Lucy Stevens.

Ironically, it was almost two years ago that Smith said we should "bury our hopes" as he didn't think Detective Pikachu 2 would ever happen, and until recently we've had no indication that a sequel is in the works. It's unclear if Smith is expected to reprise his role in the sequel, but Deadline reports that "insiders believe Reynolds will have some part to play." It's unclear at the moment whether that means he's in talks to return as Pikachu or involved in a different capacity. Regardless, any potential deals have yet to be formally inked, so things could easily change significantly behind the scenes between now and release.

Detective Pikachu 2 doesn't have a release date.

Jordan Gerblick
Jordan Gerblick
Staff Writer

After earning an English degree from ASU, I worked as a corporate copy editor while freelancing for places like SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG on the side. I got my big break here in 2019 with a freelance news gig, and I was hired on as GamesRadar's west coast Staff Writer in 2021. That means I'm responsible for managing the site's western regional executive branch, AKA my home office, and writing about whatever horror game I'm too afraid to finish.