Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 6:46PM 'Voltron' Movie Rights Spark a Studio Bidding War
It's no secret Hollywood has an affinity with the idea of rebooting and adapting. And, more recently, the idea of adapting all things pop-culture from the 1980s. So it really shouldn't surprise anyone that studios have been trying for years to adapt a live action version of the animated television series Voltron for the big screen, especially when the last giant-robot-series-from-the-'80s-turned-big-screen-event (Transformers) has raked in over a billion dollars worldwide.
But for some reason, even though multiple scripts have been written and concept images mocked up, there's been no real movement in getting these robots to a theater near you. Until now. And what large movement it is as a multi-studio bidding war has begun. Hit the jump to find out why this go 'round may just be the time Voltron actually gets to defend the universe.
According to recent reports, the one thing holding back a big screen adaptation of Voltron was the rights to the franchise. One company held the TV rights, while another held any film rights, and multiple others claiming to own any merchandising rights. So, for lack of a better word term, it was too much of a clusterf*ck for anything to happen. But recently a St. Louis based production company called World Events Productions has acquired all television and film rights to Voltron, paving the way for any type of new media for the franchise.
World Events first plan is a new animated television series entitled Voltron Force which is scheduled to air on Nickelodeon this May, followed by a live action film in 2-3 years. Knowing the standard time it takes to create a film of this magnitude, studios are already chomping at the bit to get their hands on the franchise which has inturn created a massive bidding war. What may be the most surprise part of this story is the studio currently leading the pack in said war, Relativity Media. While Relativity has turned out their fair share of solid productions, you'd think a franchise of this size would end up at one of the top tier studios (Paramount, Warners, Universal, Sony, etc.).
There's currently no word as to whether or not any of the previously circulated materials (like the script or concept art) will be used. I'm gonna go ahead and say they won't, or at least not directly. But, all you really need to know is a Voltron movie can and will now happen.
Reader Comments (2)
wow!!
cool!!
my childhood!!!!
A power rangers reboot movie should be done. Every 90's kid would occupy a theater seat.