A theatrical-based "Sword Art Online" film, titled "Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale," is set to be released in 2017, instead of the third season of the anime sequel.
Rumor has it that "Sword Art Online" Season 3 might not happen anymore, as it has been a year since Season 2 ended but still no updates are announced for Season 3. Nevertheless, many fans believe that the current announcement that there will be a movie adaptation for "Sword Art Online" is an indication that Season 3 of the anime series is really underway.
It is said that instead of cancellation, there might only be a delay in "Sword Art Online" Season 3's release. On the contrary, some fans think that the movie adaptation is the purported Season 3, while others believe that following the release is the expected announcement of anime series and an animated movie.
Accordingly, the "Sword Art Online" movie adaptation's cast include Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (Kirito), Haruka Tomatsu (Azuna), Ayana Taketatsu (Leafa), Kanae Itō (Yui), Rina Hidaka (Silica), Ayahi Takagaki (Lisbeth), Miyuki Sawashiro as (Sinon), Hiroaki Hirata (Klein), and Kōichi Yamadera (Akihiko), Anime News Network reported. "Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale" will be based on a new story arc written by Reki Kawahara. Basically, it will revolve around Ordinal Scale, which is said to be the new virtual reality that Kirito and Azuna will be involved in.
Meanwhile, latest updates confirmed that Skydance Television has acquired the rights for the movie adaptation. This is the same network which released "World War Z" and "Grace and Frankie." Furthermore, "Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale" will accordingly be penned by the award-winning executive producer of "Avatar," Laeta Kalogridis.
"Sword Art Online" movie adaptation will premiere in Japan on the second quarter of 2017 but there is no announcement yet as to the release date of the third season nor the release of its animated film.
In another note, "Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization" Digital Deluxe officially revealed that the game will have Season Pass, which will sell at around $25. According to Bandai Namco, "Hallow Realization" is a brand new "Sword Art Online" story that let gamers control Kirito, iDigital Times reported.
"Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization" will be available for PlayStation 4 (Digital and Physical) and PlayStation Vita (Digital only) on Nov. 8.
