UPDATE on November 21, 2025: Drew Starkey is no longer in talks. The deal didnʼt go through.

Sources tell Nexus Point News that Drew Starkey is in talks to join Legendary’s Gundam. Despite rumors claiming Benson Boone’s involvement, Starkey is confirmed to be in talks for the role.

Gundam, created by Yoshiyuki Tomino and Sunrise, is one of Japan’s most iconic and influential franchises. Known for its political intrigue and realistic depiction of war, the series focuses on conflicts between Earth and its space colonies, fought using giant humanoid machines known as Mobile Suits. Since its debut in 1979, Gundam has spawned countless anime series, films, manga, and video games.

Sources point to the film adapting Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team, a gritty, ground-level story set during the One Year War. The original series follows a squad of Earth Federation soldiers battling Zeon forces in the jungles of Southeast Asia while exploring themes of loyalty, tragedy, and the human cost of war. At its heart is a star-crossed romance between a Federation officer and a woman from Zeon, a dynamic the film will mirror, with Sydney Sweeney playing a young woman on a mission to avenge her father and Starkey potentially portraying her rival and love interest from the Earth Federation. 

Jim Mickle, best known for Netflix’s Sweet Tooth, is set to direct and write the script. Legendary Pictures will be producing the film with Bandai Namco.

Starkey is best known for his roles in Luca Guadagnino’s Queer and Netflix’s Outer Banks. Starkey’s other credits include Love, Simon, Hellraiser, Doom Patrol, Ozark, and The Hate U Give. He’s set to star in Apple TV+’s Lucky with Anya Taylor-Joy and Adam Wingard’s Onslaught.

Production for Gundam will begin next Spring in Australia.