[5] The film is directed and written by Joko Anwar, and stars Abimana Aryasatya, alongside Tara Basro, Bront Palarae, Ario Bayu, Cecep Arif Rahman, Rio Dewanto, and Muzakki Ramdhan.

[6] The film depicts the efforts of security guard Sancaka, in the guise of crime-fighting vigilante Gundala, to prevent crime boss Pengkor from poisoning unborn Indonesian children.

[7] At Indonesia Comic Con on October 28, 2018, a press conference was held to introduce the main casts and to hold the first screening of video footage from the film, with a release date set around mid-2019.

[2][11] The film received positive reviews from audience and critics with praise for Abimana's performance, Anwar's direction, and the visual effects, costume design, and originality.

Most of Indonesia's assembly members are controlled by crime boss Pengkor, who commands a nationwide army of fellow orphans, raised as assassins.

Having secretly extracted some of Sancaka's blood, Ghazul uses it to reattach the body within to a head, resurrecting Ki Wilawuk, a powerful medieval warrior.

Ghazul informs him of Sancaka's arrival, calling him "Gundala" ("Thunder" in ancient Javanese), and Ki Wilawuk orders him to gather his army to plot revenge.

Senior poet, musician, and actor Sujiwo Tejo also briefly appeared as Ki Wilawuk, who is rumored to be the supervillain of the film series.

Other actors and actresses involved in the film included Ami Priyono, August Melasz, Pitrajaya Burnama, HIM Damsyik, Gordon Subandono, A. Hamid Arief, Rini Ratih, Dewanti, and Ratno Timoer.

As a result of the attention generated by this hoax, Gundala's creator, Hasmi, became involved in negotiations to produce a real film based on the character.

[19] Gundala's costume was a team effort between Iwan Nazif (Bumilangit Creative Engine) and Chris Lie (Caravan Studio).

The production was handled by Quantum Creations FX, based in Los Angeles, known for their works in Daredevil, Watchmen, Supergirl, The Hunger Games, Star Trek, and Iron Man.

The production team agreed that the lyrics represent the main theme of the film; when many people in a country do not upheld justice, they will head on towards the "end of the world".

[2][11] It was acquired by Premiere Entertainment Group, who began shopping the film to domestic and international buyers at the AFM on November 9, 2019.

[26] On April 30, 2020, Well Go USA Entertainment announced it would be releasing Gundala via digital, Blu-ray, and DVD in North America on July 28, 2020.

[29] Richard Kuipers wrote for Variety that the film is "an action-packed and emotionally satisfying adaptation of the treasured Indonesian comic book created by Harya "Hasmi" Suraminata.

"[30] Victor Stiff from ThatShelf.com praised the film, stating, "From beginning to end, Gundala delivers fast and furious action and rarely stops to take its foot off the gas.