Ryan Reynolds 'to play Detective Pikachu in Pokemon film'

Ryan Reynolds has signed on to star as Detective Pikachu in a new live-action Pokemon film, according to Variety.

The Deadpool star will play the self-styled investigator, who will take on the job of finding a kidnapped parent.

Rob Letterman will direct the film, which starts shooting in London in January.

Justice Smith, shortly to be seen in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, and Kathryn Newton, from Big Little Lies, will also appear.

Pokemon was first released as a video game in 1996 and led to an animated TV series and film franchise.

Its merchandise includes trading cards that became a craze in UK schools in the early 2000s.

The Detective Pikachu character was introduced into the Pokemon universe through a 2016 video game.

Legendary Entertainment, the company behind the film, also made Jurassic World and the film version of Warcraft.

Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email [email protected].