The classic Japanese franchise Pokémon has been dominating the animation hemisphere for years, beginning with the release of the 1996 video game Pocket Monsters: Red and Green, commonly known as Pokémon: Red and Blue. It has since been adapted into many different mediums, including animated television, manga, and live-action cinema.
Netflix's famously houses multiple different Pokémon series such as Pokémon: Indigo League, Pokémon: Sun & Moon, and Pokémon: Journeys. They also feature the related movies, Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back, Pokémon: The Power Of Us, and Pokémon: I Chose You. Given this, nobody was surprised when Netflix announced that they would be making a live-action adaptation of the popular series.
As the upcoming live-action series is still in pre-production, there have been few confirmed details about the show. However, given the mixed reviews of Detective Pikachu, the last live-action Pokémon project starring Ryan Reynolds, many fans are skeptical of Netflix's latest endeavor. Giving them a few pointers, here is our dream cast for the upcoming Pokémon series.
Ash Ketchum
First up is the show's lead protagonist and Pikachu-lover Ash Ketchum. This character is typically portrayed as a young boy. In the original Pokémon series, he was merely ten years old when granted access to become a Pokémon trainer. This character was absent in Detective Pikachu as the movie decided to focus on an original character, Tim Goodman — a jaded 21-year-old insurance worker, played by actor Justice Smith.
For Netflix's Pokémon series to reach its full potential, it needs to take an inclusive approach to its cast, especially when it comes to embracing the aspects of Asian culture seen throughout the series. A perfect choice for the goofy and soft-hearted character, Ash Ketchum, is 17-year-old actor Forrest Wheeler from the ABC comedy Fresh Off The Boat.
Wheeler is best known for playing Emery Huang in Fresh Off the Boat for its six seasons on air. In the series, he played a very energetic and outgoing kid, much like Ash.
Brock
Next up is the friendly gym leader Brock, who is best characterized by wearing his baggy orange vest and a pair of khakis. He is an integral part of the series as he joins Ash during his travels. The character is known to be level-headed and often serves as a "father figure" to his younger peers. In the original English-dubbed Pokémon series, he was voiced by voice actor Eric Stuart (Yu-Gi-Oh!) and then Bill Rogers (One-Punch Man).
The Good Place actor Manny Jacinto would make the perfect Brock as he's already demonstrated that he can ace playing a genuine and sincere character. Jacinto has also played his cards with action-fighting, as he will star in the upcoming movie in the Top Gun franchise, Top Gun: Maverick.
Misty
Pokémon's Misty is a go-to fan-favorite character. She has a tomboyish attitude and is always up for a fight. She is best friends with Ash and Brock, and specializes in water Pokemon. Misty is known for her short red hair that is always pulled back into a ponytail and wearing jean shorts with suspenders. The character is fierce and strong-willed but is also very loyal to her friends.
18-year-old actor Elsie Fisher would bring great justice to the character Misty, having previously starred in Bo Burnham's Eighth Grade and Hulu's Castle Rock series. She has experience playing multi-dimensional characters and often speaks prolifically about staying true to herself while working in Hollywood. The actor is also a total nerd.
Professor Oak
Professor Oak is another essential Pokémon character. He is a middle-aged scientist who is close with the Ketchum family. The professor was once an aspiring Pokémon trainer, but has since, changed ambitions. While kind and light-hearted, he is also known for challenging Ash and the other trainers.
It would be fun to see Ryan Reynolds take on this character, as an homage to Detective Pikachu. The actor is known for being able to play a wide range of characters, starring in movies across the genres. This role would be a challenge for him, as it plays into a stereotypical "wise old man" trope, however, it would be an interesting change of pace for the actor.
Another solid casting option for this character would be Neil Patrick Harris or Andrew Rannells. The latter voiced many characters in the English-dubbed version of Pokémon and iconically played James in a live-action play of the series.
Team Rocket
Lastly is the evil duo Team Rocket, comprised of Jessie and James. Together, they often follow Ash and his friends with the intention of defeating them and identifying their weak spots. Many fans have viewed them as queer-coded characters that subvert gender norms, given their appearance and shameless personality.
Rounding out this dream cast for Netflix's Pokémon live-action series, actors Sasha Lane and Jaden Smith would excellently play this duo. They have both challenged societal norms in their everyday lives while leading successful acting characters. Lane has famously starred in American Honey, Hellboy, and Loki, whereas Smith has made himself established in the Netflix community starring in The Get Down and the original anime Neo Yokio.