'Voltron' Morphs to the Big Screen

This really brings me back to memory lane. I remember rushing home from first grade so I could watch Voltron in front of our old school Zenith wood trim TV. I'd get my toys together and transform Voltron into the robot right as the scene happened on my TV. We had the robot, the castle, the bad guy action figures, the good guy actions figures. The only thing I was probably into more than Voltron was Transformers, which is also being made into a movie (thanks to Spielberg).

Now, I don't have a problem with this being given the motion picture treatment. However, unless it's done the right way, I'd prefer for it not to be done at all. For example, Master of the Universe was a movie based on He-Man. At least, that's what the say it is. In reality, it was this piece of crap movie that totally destroyed what He-Man was, a neat cool universe separate from our own and unrestricted by reality. It was the true good versus evil, and good won, at least most of the time, and if they lost it was only because it was one of those rare two part episodes where the good guys ended up winning in the second episode anyway.

Back to my point, Voltron has a special place in my heart, as does Robotech, Thundercats, Transformers, and He-Man. I want to see these movies done right. I want to see them produced by someone who was a fan, someone who remembers the same awe that this show gave me when I was a kid, someone who truly knows the scope and vision this picture needs to be. You can't half ass something like this, it's just too big. Seriously, this robot is Godzilla size, maybe bigger. I'm confident Transformers will be cool since Spielberg is producing it and Michael Bay is directing. Spielberg is just nerdy enough that he "gets" Transformers and will make it work the way it needs to (that and according to his interview he knows this can be a big time franchise for him). I don't know if I can trust Mark Gordon or not. This can be a great adventure that the whole family can love. It's meant for kids but it's so awesome any dad will love it to. This can be a big cash cow for New Line or turn into the next Masters Of the Universe.

Only time will tell.

-O

'Voltron' Morphs to the Big Screen
Tue, Jul 26, 2005, 02:07 PM PT

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - There's been a dearth of giant robots lately, and the folks at New Line are only too happy to remedy that oversight.

Producer Mark Gordon ("The Day After Tomorrow") is making Gen X-ers happy by developing the feature "Voltron: Defender of the Galaxy," based on the primary-colored robot toy line and TV series from the 1980s, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "Voltron" will follow in the footsteps of "The Transformers," another '80s series and toy that is being produced for the big screen.

If memory serves, Voltron is a mighty robot, loved by good, feared by evil. Voltron's legendary prowess spreads peace across the galaxy, until a new threat, the Drule Empire, joins the neighborhood. Now, five maverick explorer-pilots are called upon to learn how to operate the giant mechanical warrior, made up of five smaller robots.

Although there have been several Voltron incarnations, the most popular form (and most familiar to American audiences) is the one composed of five different "lions" manned by pilots. In the transformation sequence, the leader would often dictate what order to assemble the massive robot, ending with "And I'll form the head."

The Voltron phenomenon, which led to hundreds of millions of dollars in licensing, toys and merchandising, is still alive today, with the show in syndication around the world.

The Neptune's Pharrell Williams will executive produce (along with Mark Costa and Ford Oelman) as well as score the film and produce the soundtrack. "The Day After Tomorrow's" Mark Gordon will produce.