The 20th Century Fox-based production company New Regency is close to a deal with the Mark Gordon Company to bring Voltron: Defender of the Universe the the big screen. The live-action project was in development since 2004. Interest likely skyrocketed after the huge popularity of Michael Bay’s Transformers. The popular 1980’s japanese created animated television series was also part of the 1-18-08/Cloverfield fanboy speculation. Now that another production company will own the rights to the project, may-be the rumors will finally stop.
He-Man scribe Justin Marks penned the screenplay which is being described as “a post-apocalyptic tale set in New York City and Mexico. Five ragtag survivors of an alien attack band together and end up piloting the five lion-shaped robots that combine and form the massive sword-wielding Voltron that helps battle Earth’s invaders.” Marks is also working on the Green Arrow prison break film SuperMax and a new version of Street Fighter.
I actually believe that a Voltron movie could be cool if it wasn’t geared towards young children. People want to see big giant robots fighting aliens and destroying all that lay in their path. This could be that movie. Plus, unlike Transformers, there is a human element which is already interconnected to the story.
source: Variety
August 10th, 2007 at 4:55 am
I loved Voltron as a kid, but it’s a ridiculous concept.
I can’t imagine how it would work on film.
August 10th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
But tell me this…when are we going to see “Thundercats: The Movie”?
August 11th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
They were able to make a power rangers movie, which by the way is a blatant rip-off of Voltron, and it did ok. If this were geared toward adults, than it might not be that bad.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:49 am
I was lucky enough to get a chance to read the script first hand. It’s better than I expected, but not as good as I had hoped. I’ve written a full review of the script, with full quotes from the script itself, as well as spoilers and posted it to my website. The url for the script review is http://www.geocities.com/KiethBlackLion/scriptreview.html
September 5th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
Well, all I’ve got to say is… if it doesn’t follow the original “King of a Hundred Beasts GOLION” then it’s very likely gonna suck. Golion,the original is way better than the U.S. “Voltron”. It has a more adult story to it. Leave it to the Americans to dumb it up and ruin a great show. Besides, it isn’t supposed to take place on earth at all. Please Fox, don’t let them mess it up for the old fans of the original show !!!
September 6th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Matt,
It follows neither Voltron nor GoLion. It’s it’s own animal. Just as the Lions in the movie are constructed of various scrap parts found on Earth, the script itself is cobbled together from various post-apocalyptic SciFi movies and series. It borrows heavily from Escape from New York, Stargate, the Matrix, and The Road Warrior, as well as completely stealing the Han Solo/Princess Leia relationship from ‘A New Hope’ and using it at Keith/Allura’s relationship, complete with a “I just want to take my payment and go!” scene just before everyone else is gearing up to take on the bad guys.
The script, as it exists, is mediocre at best.
October 30th, 2007 at 10:02 am
I grew up in the transformer, voltron, thundercats era and I really enjoyed the transformer movie. I always keep check on the superhero movies and I was excited about the transformer movie when I first read about it. I’m sure voltron would be a success but it needs to stay true to the old voltron genre of not modern day but like the cartoon series. No matter what I would be thrilled to hear production had begun.
January 23rd, 2008 at 7:02 am
Transformers was ok, many elements were changed which I thought detracted too much from the original character concepts. Megatron was totally wrong, besides his transforming into a jet. Instead of the cold, intelligent schemer, he was more of a bloodthirsty beast and didn’t seem to have any reasoning ability.
And on the subject of Voltron, changing the setting to modern earth is already a bad sign. They did that with Final Fantasy Spirits Within and it sucked. They did it with the first pathetic attempt at a He-Man movie, that sucked too. I’m sure there’s more examples, but you get the idea.
Why does every live action adaptation of an animated show need to be changed to a present day Earth setting? I’m sure they want viewers to be able to relate to the characters and situations better, bla bla bla. Are they incapable of writing a script that viewers can relate to in space? Perhaps they need better writers or directors.
Personally, I’ve seen Earth enough, I’m more impressed with seeing alien worlds and battles in outer space. Star Trek, Star Wars, Babylon 5, Battlestar Galactica, Stargate, Pitch Black etc, some of the most popular shows/movies EVER take place almost entirely away from Earth. Voltron on Earth will just add to the argument that they are trying to imitate Transformers.
May 25th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Will there be any Asian / Japanese as the main cast?
It will be rather fresh if an Asian - as in the original Golion plot - plays as the captain Akira Kogane (not Keith).
June 27th, 2008 at 8:12 am
i just finished reading the basics of the movie. They are semi f%^*ing the story up by having the story take place on earth. Apparently they are running to make more then 3 movies with this cause is i read the story right, everything takes place before the creation of Voltron.
Five ragtag survivors of an alien attack band together and end up piloting the five lion-shaped robots that combine and form the massive sword-wielding Voltron that helps battle Earth’s invaders.
I completely agree with Snake. i am sick of seeing movie gear toward making people feel like they can relate. Its a movie, it is not realistic.
Who is Mark Gordon? Apparently the Producer then they have Pharrell Williams and Mark Costa as Ex-producers. For a movie like this, you need better production casts. Seriously, Pharrell is a singer. Not even that good if he is singing by himself.
Its going to be a New Regency Production. This company has not put anything out worth watching in almost 3 years.
August 8th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
I HAVE THE VOLTRON SCREENPLAY — Forget the rumors and he said she said bs online read it for your self and judge. I bring truth and fact. If you want to read the 111 page screenplay please email me at trixspeed@yahoo.com
For the record I also have — David Goyers Magnetto screenplay — GI Joe screenplay — HeMan screenplay — The Watchmen screenplay.
I love being well connected in this world. So enough with the fake testimonies read it for your self come one email me!