A friend of mine alerted me to this story (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050726/film_nm/voltron_dc/nc:790;_ylt=AlO0VkGrS_8DYb81SPLaR6YwFxkF;_ylu=X3oD MTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl ). I'll tell you one thing, you can beat the crowds on the way back to the parking lot by leaving when Voltron forms his sword 'cuz at that point it's over:

'Voltron' morphs into movie
By Borys Kit
Tue Jul 26, 1:30 AM ET

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - "Voltron: Defender of the Universe" is coming to the big screen.

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Producer Mark Gordon ("The Day After Tomorrow") is developing a big-budget feature based on the 1980s giant robot kids TV series and toy sensation.

The "Voltron" animated TV series debuted in 1984, about the same time as Hasbro's Transformers toy line, igniting a morphing robot phenomenon. According to sources, Voltron has generated $750 million in worldwide licensing and nearly $200 million in toys and merchandising since 1984. The show, in its many incarnations, remains syndicated throughout the world.

The story being developed will be based on the series about five maverick explorer-pilots who must travel to the planet Arus to learn how to operate Voltron, a giant mechanical warrior formed by five smaller robots. The gargantuan robot is the last hope against the evil Drule Empire that has subjugated Earth and taken control of the universe.

Two employees at New Line Cinema, Mark Costa and Ford Oelman, secured the rights from "Voltron" owner World Events, and eventually brought the project to Gordon, whose credits also include "Saving Private Ryan" and "Speed." Costa and Oelman will executive produce, along with Pharrell Williams, one-half of the producing duo the Neptunes, who will score the film and produce the soundtrack.

"Voltron" is now the second giant robot picture being developed; "Transformers" is set up at DreamWorks Pictures.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

José

Well, the wife will be happy, but skeptical. me... I never got into Voltron.

Well from the small storyline description alone, I can tell I will not like it. Hmm, rogue explorers who bring the robots to save earth :(

Is transformers going to be a live action flick?

Was Adam west the voice for Optimus Prime? it sounded like him.

NIghtsky - The guy who was the voice of Prime was also featured in the vehicle-version of Voltron, but it wasn't West.

For those who don't know, in "Voltron: Defender of the Universe" there were two different Voltrons (Voltronii?). One was formed by a ridiculously high number of vehicles and fought in space. The vehicle Voltron is almost universally hated by people who watched Voltron, though it stuck true to the moniker of "Defender of the Universe" because he was out defending various planets.

The second Voltron was formed by five lions. Although neat looking and slightly better, this Voltron sohuldn't be called "Defender of the Universe" because it only defended one kingdom on one planet. What's up with that?

I never got into Voltron. Compared to the Transformers, which actually had some sort of cohesive storyline (besides selling merchandise), Voltron's plots were sort of dumb because the moment Voltron was formed (with the lead pilot feeling the need to narrate every aspect of Voltron's formation and ending with his ship being the robot's head) and pulled out his super-duper sword the fight was over.

José

I seriously doubt the Voltron movie will ever happen. Hollywood has bought tons of anime properties over the last 20 years, never done a thing with most of them (thankfully Warner keeps tanking on Akira)

NIghtsky - The guy who was the voice of Prime was also featured in the vehicle-version of Voltron, but it wasn't West.

Peter Cullen was Optimus Prime. You can hear his voice all over.

For those who don't know, in "Voltron: Defender of the Universe" there were two different Voltrons (Voltronii?). One was formed by a ridiculously high number of vehicles and fought in space. The vehicle Voltron is almost universally hated by people who watched Voltron, though it stuck true to the moniker of "Defender of the Universe" because he was out defending various planets.

The second Voltron was formed by five lions. Although neat looking and slightly better, this Voltron sohuldn't be called "Defender of the Universe" because it only defended one kingdom on one planet. What's up with that?



Because it was 2 seperate shows. Go-Lion and Dairugger 15 smooshed together. The "team-up" ep was created in the edit bay

I never got into Voltron. Compared to the Transformers, which actually had some sort of cohesive storyline (besides selling merchandise), Voltron's plots were sort of dumb because the moment Voltron was formed (with the lead pilot feeling the need to narrate every aspect of Voltron's formation and ending with his ship being the robot's head) and pulled out his super-duper sword the fight was over.

It was really just animated sentai(power rangers) that has been going in a new incarnation every year for 30+ now.

For those who don't know, in "Voltron: Defender of the Universe" there were two different Voltrons (Voltronii?). One was formed by a ridiculously high number of vehicles and fought in space. The vehicle Voltron is almost universally hated by people who watched Voltron, though it stuck true to the moniker of "Defender of the Universe" because he was out defending various planets.

The second Voltron was formed by five lions. Although neat looking and slightly better, this Voltron sohuldn't be called "Defender of the Universe" because it only defended one kingdom on one planet. What's up with that?

They also marketed toys for a third Voltron, this one something like three robots that joined together to make one robot with six arms. ?!? I never saw a cartoon version of that, though.

I guess I was young enough to really like Voltron (the lion version). A month or so ago, some friends and I were sitting around, talking about all the toys coming back from when we were kids, and we actually talked about how surprising it was to not see a resurgence of Voltron. If this flick gets made, it will answer that.

I have the CGI Voltron on VCD, not all that good.
If they want to make a giant robot movie, then do Mighty Orbots.
How about Gobots?

Because it was 2 seperate shows. Go-Lion and Dairugger 15 smooshed together. The "team-up" ep was created in the edit bay

Thanks! I suspected as much, once I found out “Robotech” was actually three separate Japanese series combined into one for the US market. I didn’t care enough about Voltron to do the proper research.

They also marketed toys for a third Voltron, this one something like three robots that joined together to make one robot with six arms. ?!? I never saw a cartoon version of that, though.

I remember a commercial bumper still that featured a third Voltron with a giant lion’s head on the chest. I’m wondering if you and I are thinking of the same one. The friend who alerted me to the story only remembers the two and he thinks I imagined the third one.

José

Is transformers going to be a live action flick?
Yes, it will be live action. The story will be in the G1 era, & featuring only about 6 or 8 of the 'bots.

^ Oooh, I hope it includes Soundwave. I thought he was the coolest looking... though people don't have as much of a need for a tape player anymore.

José

Yup, soundwave was cool, as were the triplechangers, astrotrain and ... hmm I forget the other guy, was a triple changing jet/tank/robot.

Speaking of robotech, I have a friend who will argue to this day, that the Japanese stole Carl Macek's idea of robotech and does not believe that the writer of the robotech books was actuallt a pen-name for the two writers. In actuality, the reason Macek (who BTW, is not well liked in the mainstream anime field) combined the three different shows (Macross,Mospeada and souther cross(I think thats the last one)), was at the time, no networks would take on a show LESS then 26 episodes (Macross was only 18).

Speaking of toy remakes, I wish they would do a re-release of the Shogun warriors WITH working weapons:) Mine did, but the ones that came after had the missiles and stuff attached to the model (think it all stemmed from someone poking out an eye with a cylon launcher)

I wouldn't mind Seeing a Big Budget Version of the "Shogun Warriors" anybody remember them? I seem to recall having some LARGE figures(Toys) of these in the 70's They (Mattel) even did a Godzilla and Rodan (2 Foot Wingspan) in this Line. Lets see there was Dragoon,Raydeen and Mazinga and IIRC somebody even did Model Kits! (I believe it was Revell) I still have that Giant Magenta Rodan! lol Anybody know the Back story on these guys? how did Godzilla and Friends Figure in to the "Shogun Warrior's" Universe?

John/Lonfan

I know Godzilla was in one of the Shogun Warriors comic book issues.
It was Monogram that did the kits for them as well.

I actually liked Voltron, both versions.
Then again I was a sucker for most anime that managed to make it's way onto US tv screens.

If they want to do a giant robot movie, why not just re-do Johnny Sokko and his flying robot.

Yup, soundwave was cool, as were the triplechangers, astrotrain and ... hmm I forget the other guy, was a triple changing jet/tank/robot.
That was Blitzwing. There was also Octane (jet, semi-truck tanker, bot), Sandstorm (dune buggy, helicopter, bot) & my favorite, Springer (helicopter, future car, bot).
I agree that Soundwave was cool! I wonder (if he's in the movie) that they might change him into a CD player. Though that wouldn't make much sense for his cassettes. Heck, just show the Nemesis scanning a antique shop! :lol: Of course they'll have Op & Megs, & almost certainly Starscream & Ironhide. After that, it's anybody's guess.

Mine did, but the ones that came after had the missiles and stuff attached to the model (think it all stemmed from someone poking out an eye with a cylon launcher)
It was actualy the missle from the Viper some kid shot down his throat. :rolleyes: Yea, doomed the whole spring-loaded industry till the tanker truck version of Optimus came out in '95 with shooting discs. I got to hold the prototype for the toy... it was cool! :roll:

^ I liked the bootlegged version of US toys that you could find at flea markets occassionally. Those had real springs. Of course, my fiend used to modify his Transformers by taking out the weak US spring and replacing it with one of similar width but with much more force.

Can you transform Ravage or Lazerbeak from a CD? :tongue:

José

Speaking of toy remakes, I wish they would do a re-release of the Shogun warriors WITH working weapons:) Mine did, but the ones that came after had the missiles and stuff attached to the model (think it all stemmed from someone poking out an eye with a cylon launcher)[/QUOTE]



Actually Rat, I KNOW FOR SURE that My Mail Giveaway Boba Fett Figure Arrived to me About SIX MONTHS LATE so that Kenner could redesign Boba's Rocket Pack to a NON-Functioning Version:mad: And this was due to that same "Galactica Toy Incident"

John/Lonfan