The Highland landscape is to feature in a brand new Pokemon film which is due to be released in summer next year.
Production crews were spotted earlier this year filming in Glen Nevis and the River Affric near Cannich with a helicopter and drone used to capture the spectacular scenery.
The franchise, which became a global phenomenon in the 90s, is to focus on its most famous character in the latest blockbuster to cover the topic, with Pokemon Detective Pikachu set for release in May 2019.
During filming, Scottish production workers were sworn to secrecy about the project
Leader of the Highland Council Margaret Davidson, whose ward covers the River Affric, said: “The film is showing Glen Affric which is one the most impressive and wild parts of Scotland, if not the most impressive. It is great to see it on screen and we welcome the opportunity for visitors to come.”
Fort William and Ardnamurchan councillor Niall McLean said: “I think the film industry should be welcomed to the area. We are doing really well to attract productions such as this, as well as the recent Netflix launch portraying Robert the Bruce in Glencoe, and we should be doing as much as we can to keep attracting these.”
The production, based on the franchises popular video game series and card trading activity, stars renowned Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds, veteran actor Bill Nighy and popstar Rita Ora.
Actor Ryan Reynolds took to Twitter to communicate with fans over his involvement in the film, sending fans into pandemonium.
He said: “I think we all knew I’d wind up as a miniature detective repeatedly saying the same two words. Just didn’t think it’d be this soon. #PikaPika”
The first trailer for the new motion picture was released this week.
Lochaber has famously hosted other productions with the most notable being the filming of Harry Potter, with the Glenfinnan Viaduct visited by thousands of Potter enthusiasts each year.
Filming for the new Pokemon movie has also taken place in and around the surreal and mystical Devil’s Pulpit at Finnich Glen in Stirlingshire.
The Detective Pikachu character was introduced to the Pokemon universe through a 2016 video game for the Nintendo at the same time the popular Pokemon GO craze took hold, where users were encouraged to get out and about with smartphones to gather their arsenal of Pokemon characters.
Pokemon was first released as a video game in 1996 and led to an animated TV series and film franchise, with Pokemon The First Movie being released in 1998.
