Season 3 of the popular Japanese anime “Sword Art Online” looks to be in serious jeopardy as its publisher Kadokawa Corporation has recently worked out a deal with Skydance Television to produce a live-action TV series version in the US.
Previous reports were saying that the third season of “Sword Art Online” will happen next year but it appears to have been overtaken by developments already.
In addition to a possible live-action TV series in the US to be aired or streamed on Netflix, the anime shall also have a film version to be shown on February 18, 2017, officially titled “Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale.”
It was also Kadokawa, who confirmed early this month the official release date of “Sword Art Online” animated movie.
More importantly, the movie shall hit 1,000 cinemas when it comes out early next year, indicative of how popular and successful the franchise has become.
The film is said to be the sequel to the final arc in the anime. It takes place after the Mother’s Rosario Arc.
Its storyline was written by the original author of “Sword Art Online” light novel series, Reki Kawahara. It involves a new Augmented Reality Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game or ARMMORPG called “Ordinal Scale,” which Kirito and his friends are playing.
Accordingly, people were enjoying the new game, but the players had no idea that a nightmare from the virtual world was starting to spread into reality. As his fellow players find themselves in danger, the hero is called upon once again.
Meanwhile, a trailer for “Sword Art Online” the movie has already been released featuring Kirito, Asuna, and friends.
Three new characters were also announced including Yuna, an Idol in “Ordinal Scale,” who gives players special upgrades when they encounter her in-game; Dr. Shigemura, a professor and researcher of non-invasive brain machine interface, whose peers think he’s crazy; and Eiji, a mysterious swordsman who is one of the top players in “Ordinal Scale.”
Live-action TV series will be the third season
There are also absurd rumors going around saying that the live-action version of “Sword Art Online” that would come out on Netflix is to be the third season of the Japanese anime.
Critics believe that the only connection that the anime version will have on the live-action version is the fact that they are both based on the same storylines. But connecting them in such a way is downright ridiculous.
Reports also have it that Laeta Kalogridis, who wrote “Terminator: Genisys” will be writing the screenplay for the live-action version of “Sword Art Online” TV series, details the iTech Post.
In a recent interview, Kalogridis said that he has been inspired by the inventive and masterful storytelling of the “Sword Art Online” franchise, adding also that he is thrilled to get the opportunity to work with such talented partners to bring a cutting-edge yet timeless story to a new format at Skydance.
Kalogridis also mentioned how excited he is that “Sword Art Online” will be made into live-action TV series and that he really appreciates everyone who would be involved in the project.
There have been reports saying that Japanese composer Yuki Kajiura will use the music from “Sword Art Online” for her first Hollywood performance entitled “Yuki Kajiura Live” slated on January 14, 2017 to be held at the Dolby Theater in California. Fans are also speculating that the cast members for the live-action TV series will also be announced at the event.