ACTOR Ryan Reynolds has signed on to star in Legendary’s live-action Pokemon movie. Reynolds joins Justice Smith and Kathryn Newton in the movie, titled “Detective Pikachu,” based on the gaming franchise.

Rob Letterman is directing the project, which is due to start shooting in mid-January.

The concept of Pokemon, which launched with a video game that transformed into a card-collecting, TV and movie franchise phenomenon, sees players acting as trainers who collect cute but powerful monsters called Pokemon in order to compete in battle tournaments.

Pikachu is a species of Pokemon, while Detective Pikachu the character is a peculiar sort from the Pikachu set, a self-styled investigator who is good at finding things. Reynolds will portray the titular detective.

The story is kicked into gear when Smith’s character’s father is kidnapped, forcing the teen to team up with Pikachu in order to find him. Newton will play a sassy journalist who helps them on their quest.

The role is said to be motion-capture in nature, sources say.

Reynolds’ “Deadpool” sequel is set to open June 1. (SD-Agencies)