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Gear Up For the Pokémon: Detective Pikachu Live-Action Film Premiere

The Pokémon Company International announced an extensive line of products inspired by Warner Bros. upcoming Pokémon Detective Pikachu live-action film on Thursday. Before the movie debuts in North America on May 10, fans can add new Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) collections and exclusive merchandise from PokemonCenter.com to their collections. Items also include action figures, an interactive plush from Wicked Cool Toys, construction sets from Mattel's Mega Construx brand, and more.

The Pokémon TCG line and select other merchandise inspired by Pokémon Detective Pikachu will be on display at The Pokémon Company International booth at the American International Toy Fair on February 16–19 in New York City. The Pokémon TCG and licensed toys will also be on display at other global toy fairs beginning this month.

The Pokémon Center online shop will launch its first line of Detective Pikachu items on April 2 followed by a second round in May. The items include a replica of pint-size detective's deerstalker hat with ears included. The fictional Hi-Hat Café where character Tim and Pikachu get their coffee is also inspiring a line of t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, and hats. Likewise, the in-universe Ryme City Police Department and Ryme City 10-year Anniversary Parade will be featured on apparel, mugs, and pins.

The film's toy line is also set for April release. Wicked Cool Toys' Detective Pikachu plush will bring the grizzled detective to life. The plush comes with two speaking modes, "Detective Pikachu" and "Pikachu" and has 14 different responses, motorized ears, and of course, his hat.

Wicked Cool Toys also has a series of 2-inch and 3-inch scale figures in the works. Besides Detective Pikachu, fans can take home Psyduck, Bulbasaur, Ludicolo, and Mr. Mime.

Mattel's Mega Construx brand has released Pokémon building sets before but will add the areas and characters of Ryme City to its offerings. The first wave of sets will hit retail shelves on March 25 and include a 6.25-inch articulated version of Detective Pikachu himself and Mr. Mime.

The Pokémon TCG is debuting new booster packs for the launch of the film. Four-card boosters feature newly designed packaging based on the look and feel of Ryme City. A total of 26 new cards feature Pokémon such as Detective Pikachu and Charizard depicted in their CGI movie versions. The first wave of Pokémon TCG: Detective Pikachu products will be available beginning April 5 in North America. The sets are:

• Pokémon TCG: Detective Pikachu Case File—Contains one promo card featuring Detective Pikachu, one metallic coin inspired by Detective Pikachu, two Detective Pikachu booster packs, and one additional Pokémon TCG booster pack.

• Pokémon TCG: Detective Pikachu Charizard-GX Case File—Contains one foil promo card and one foil oversize card featuring Charizard-GX, four Detective Pikachu booster packs, and two additional Pokémon TCG booster packs.

• Pokémon TCG: Detective Pikachu Greninja-GX Case File—Contains one foil promo card and one foil oversize card featuring Greninja-GX, one pin featuring Greninja, five Detective Pikachu booster packs, and two additional Pokémon TCG booster packs.

• Pokémon TCG: Detective Pikachu Collector Chest—Contains seven Detective Pikachu booster packs, two additional Pokémon TCG booster packs, one collector's pin inspired by Detective Pikachu, and one Pokémon notepad and sticker sheet, all in a sturdy metal case.

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The film is slated to debut in the United States on May 10, 2019. The Pokémon Company International describes the story:

The story begins when ace detective Harry Goodman goes missing amid mysterious circumstances, prompting his son Tim to investigate what happened. Aiding in the investigation is Harry's former Pokémon partner, Detective Pikachu: a wisecracking, adorable super-sleuth. Chasing clues together through Ryme City, where humans and Pokémon live side by side, they encounter a diverse cast of Pokémon characters and uncover a shocking plot that could destroy this peaceful coexistence.

Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool) will play Detective Pikachu. Justice Smith (The Get Down) will star as another main character, a teen who teams with Pikachu in order to find his missing father, and Kathryn Newton (Big Little Lies) will play the "sassy journalist" Lucy. Ken Watanabe (Legendary's Godzilla) will play original character Detective Yoshida. Bill Nighy (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Love Actually), Chris Geere (You're the Worst), Suki Waterhouse (Assassination Nation), Rita Ora (Fifty Shades Freed), and Omar Chaparro (Stuck, Overboard 2018) are also part of the cast.

Rob Letterman (Shark Tale, Monsters vs. Aliens, Goosebumps) is directing the film, with scripts by Alex Hirsch (Gravity Falls) and Nicole Perlman (Guardians of the Galaxy).