‘Voltron’ News And Update: Universal Pictures Wants A Live Action Film; What Could Impede The Movie Project's Realization?
A live-action version of the hit animated series "Voltron" is reportedly under development at Universal Pictures with "Watchmen" screenwriter David Hayter tapped to write the script for the project. The Netflix animated series will air its second season in 2017 and is also being written by Hayter.
The original "Voltron" series was a pop culture phenomenon in the 1980s when it aired in the U.S. Based on the Japanese anime properties "Beast King GoLion" and "Kikou Kantai Dairugger XV," "Voltron" focuses on five young astronauts who stumble upon five robots that form into one warrior.
Deadline reported that Universal Pictures bagged the "Voltron" project following its $4B-acquisition of DreamWorks Animation earlier this year. "Voltron" is an in-development film that is part of the deal. The production team of Netflix's "Voltron: Legendary Defender" series is also behind the film that is under pre-production.
Dreamworks Animation's "Voltron: Legendary Defender" animated series on Netflix has received critical acclaim and wider acceptance from fans. "Forbes" magazine's Ollie Barder found the pilot episode as "better than he was expecting." Barder praised the series for retaining the sense of drama from the original "Beast King GoLion."
According to Digital Trends, "Voltron's" plot is about a "corps of astronauts that pilot a giant super robot." For those who are familiar with the original, there is nothing new or unexpected there.
In 2005, a live-action "Voltron" was developed by producer Mark Gordon and screenwriter Justin Brooks who penned "The Jungle Book." Nothing materialized from the project. In 2011, Nickelodeon attempted to reboot the series with "Voltron Force," which just lasted 26 episodes.
"Voltron's" fate will rely on the status of the sequel "Pacific Rim: Maelstrom" whose production will start soon. "Voltron" might end up being scrapped if "Power Rangers" tanks in the box office. The future performance of the "Transformers" franchise can also factor in "Voltron's" destiny.
