There’s another Pokemon movie on the horizon. Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution is the next movie in the series, seemingly a callback to one of the first Pokemon movies released in theaters.
A trailer was reportedly shown earlier this year for what will be the 22nd movie in the franchise, but now it has been officially confirmed with a release date of July 12. Dogasu’s Backpack revealed details of the reported trailer, which was shown during distributor Toho’s upcoming showcase of films set to be released next year.
The trailer, which has not yet been publicly released, started with a black screen before text appeared alongside a voice saying “What is this place? Who am I?” followed by Mewtwo opening his eyes.
There hasn’t been any information regarding a plot, but it seems pretty clear the focus will be on the 150th Pokemon. The first Pokemon movie released in theaters back in 1998 had a similar title, Mewtwo Strikes Back (also known as Pokemon: The First Movie in the US). It is possible that this movie could be a retelling of the first movie.
Initial credits found on Toho’s website list Kunihiko Yuyama and Motohori Sakakibara as directors. Takeshi Shundo, who passed away almost a decade ago, is being given credit for writing the screenplay, another possible clue this may be a remake of Mewtwo Strikes Back.
This isn’t the first time the Pokemon movie franchise is going back to the past. Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You, which was released a couple of years ago, retold the story of Ash Ketchum’s initial journeys in Kanto. The plot took liberties on the story by removing Misty and Brock as main characters and inserting new traveling companions for Ash. The film also featured Pokemon not seen in the original anime series such as Lycanroc and Incineroar.
Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution will be released in Japanese theaters on July 12. There is no current word about an international release.
