Los Angeles, Apr 26 (IANS): Director Rob Letterman says "Pokemon Detective Pikachu" honours the legacy of Pokemon but also opens doors for a broader audience.

"Pokemon Detective Pikachu" stars Ryan Reynolds as detective Pikachu. It is based on the Pokemon brand -- one of the world's most popular multi-generation entertainment properties.

"I fell in love with the story," Letterman said in a statement as he opened up about what attracted him to the film.

"It has tremendous heart and is truly unique. You approach a property like this with reverence for what has been done and a desire to introduce something new. Pikachu is different in this movie because of the story we're telling and the world he inhabits," said the director.

The story begins when detective Harry Goodman goes mysteriously missing, prompting his 21-year-old son Tim (Justice Smith) to find out what happened. Aiding in the investigation is Harry's former Pokemon partner, detective Pikachu.

Letterman said: "There's a wonderful legacy of Pokemon anime and core video games, which we all know and love, but if we were going to make a new Pokemon movie, we wanted to give it its own place and a special reason for being.

"We wanted to be sure it was true to the spirit of Pokemon and that it followed those rules so those in the know would appreciate it, and also open the door for a broader audience who may be entering this domain for the first time," he added.

"Pokemon Detective Pikachu" will be released pan India by Warner Bros Pictures on May 10.