Casting Pokémon’s 8 Kanto Gym Leaders In Live-Action

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The Pokémon franchise has only been adapted into a live-action movie once, with the 2019 film Detective Pikachu. Despite this, fans continue to hope for a live-action series based on the original games. While it’s exciting to see beloved characters brought to life on screen, there’s always a concern that the casting choices won’t meet the expectations of longtime fans.

Choosing actors to play some of the most challenging Gym Leaders could be one of the simplest parts of making a live-action Pokémon series or movie. There are many celebrities who would be a natural fit for these roles, and several could even be perfect choices to portray these eight well-known characters, who are fan favorites within the Pokémon world.

Brock

Manny Jacinto (The Good Place, Star Wars: The Acolyte)

Replacing Brock is a tough challenge, considering how iconic his portrayal has been in the Pokémon anime. Many fans consider him Ash’s best friend, and he’s also memorable for players as the first Gym Leader they encounter in the original games. The new actor needs to be both likable and funny – someone like Manny Jacinto would be a great fit.

I can totally see Manny Jacinto as Brock! Anyone who’s seen him as Jason in The Good Place knows he’s amazing at playing that kind of hopeful, sometimes clueless, but always lovable guy. But honestly, what Brock really needs is someone who can show a lot of heart, and Manny has that in abundance. He can play a goofy, devoted fan, or a mysterious villain – he just brings so much genuine emotion to everything he does, and that’s perfect for this role.

Misty

Sadie Sink (Stranger Things, The Whale)

Misty, who traveled with Ash Ketchum from the very beginning and became the Water-type Gym Leader of Cerulean City, quickly became a fan favorite in the world of Pokémon. Because she often teases and is a bit harsh with Ash, the actor playing her needs to be incredibly charming and engaging. Sadie Sink would be a perfect fit for the role.

Perhaps we’re drawn to Sadie Sink because her role as Max in Stranger Things feels reminiscent of Misty (just compare her scenes with Mike and Ash!), or maybe it’s due to her recent success on Broadway and in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a character from Spider-Man: Brand New Day. She’d be a fantastic choice to play Misty in a potential live-action Pokémon adaptation—assuming she has the time, of course.

Lieutenant Surge

Connor Storrie (Heated Rivalry, Joker: Folie À Deux)

As a huge cinema fan, I’ve been thinking about how cool it would be to see Lieutenant Surge brought to life on screen. He’s such a unique Pokémon character, especially considering his backstory. He’s a veteran – though we don’t know exactly which war he fought in – but he’s still quite young and energetic. That makes casting him tricky! You’d need an actor who looks older and more experienced than most of the Pokémon trainers, but also totally believable as a former army officer. It’s a really interesting challenge for whoever takes on the role.

It’s likely Connor Storrie, who played a convincing Russian hockey player despite being from Texas, is already receiving many scripts. With a military jacket, dog tag, and a bit of styled hair, he could easily resemble the character Lt. Surge. In fact, considering his recent success, he might even be considered too well-known for such a role.

Erika

Ruby Cruz (For All Mankind, Bottoms)

As a Pokémon fan, I’ve always felt Erika was a bit underdeveloped compared to the other Gym Leaders. In the games, she’s usually shown in beautiful, traditional Japanese clothes, but the anime leans into her being a bit of a perfectionist running a perfume shop. It got me thinking – instead of casting someone who naturally plays delicate, princess-type roles, what if we went in a totally different direction? Imagine someone unexpected taking on that role – it could be really interesting!

Ruby Cruz is quickly becoming a well-known actress, demonstrating her talent for both comedic and dramatic roles in projects like Bottoms and season 5 of For All Mankind. It would be exciting to see her take on a completely new challenge by joining the world of Pokémon.

Koga

Lee Jung-jae (Squid Game, Star Wars: The Acolyte)

We’re looking for an actor to play Koga who can portray both a calm, focused intensity and impressive fighting skills. Koga, the Gym Leader of Fuschia City, is a strict ninja trainer – even with his own daughter, Janine, who eventually takes over his role. We want someone who’s not only experienced and successful, but who truly embodies Koga’s unique personality and presence.

Lee Jung-jae is a fantastic choice, especially considering his role as Master Sol in The Acolyte – a Jedi character fans have been hoping to see for a long time. He’s famous for starring in Netflix’s Squid Game, and it’s easy to picture him nailing Koga’s intense and ruthless side, while also showing the character’s softer, paternal qualities.

Sabrina

Anya Taylor-Joy (The Menu, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga)

Honestly, for me, there are only two kinds of people when it comes to a live-action Sabrina: those who recognize Anya Taylor-Joy is perfect for the role, and those who haven’t quite seen the light! She just gets these complex, powerful characters. I mean, look at what she did with Illyana Rasputina in The New Mutants – that witchy vibe is spot on. And then, seeing her as Furiosa? Total badass. It’s clear she can handle the eerie, commanding presence Sabrina needs for Saffron City and all those Psychic-types. She’s just the natural choice!

If Anya Taylor-Joy is unavailable due to her role as Princess Peach in the Mario movies, Emily Rudd would be a fantastic choice to play Sabrina. Rudd, known for her role as Nami in Netflix’s One Piece, could offer a unique take on the character. While Taylor-Joy’s captivating and calm presence would be ideal, Rudd might be a better fit for Sabrina, given that she’s a lesser-known Pokémon character.

Blaine

Sam Rockwell (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, The White Lotus)

Blaine is a unique character in the Pokémon anime. He’s quite different from how he appears in the video games. While the games show him with a white mustache and bald head, the anime portrays him as a clever and mischievous puzzle master. He often uses disguises to trick Ash and his companions when they visit Cinnabar Island. You might picture an actor like Ben Kingsley playing this role, but we have someone else in mind.

If a live-action Pokémon adaptation were to portray Blaine as he appears in the video games, Sam Rockwell would be a great choice for the role. He’s a versatile actor who isn’t afraid to transform his appearance, so a shaved head and mustache wouldn’t be a stretch for him – and would likely be very convincing.

Giovanni

Oscar Isaac (Ex Machina, Beef)

Finally, there’s Giovanni, the leader of Team Rocket and the last Gym Leader players battle in the original Pokémon games. He’s known as a ruthless criminal, but he always remains calm and collected, even though his subordinates, Jesse and James, are constantly messing things up. Oscar Isaac would be a fantastic choice to play Giovanni, as he’s proven he can portray compelling villains despite also being a leading actor.

Oscar Isaac’s work in films like Ex Machina, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein proves he can portray complex characters, making him a perfect fit for the role of Giovanni. He’s believable as a truly intimidating mob boss, and casting him would significantly elevate any live-action Pokémon project.

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2026-05-12 20:42