A live-actionVoltronmovie is now in development.The Hollywood Reporterreports thatRawson Marshall Thurber, who helmed the hit Netflix filmRed Notice, has signed on to co-write and direct a live-action feature based on the popularVoltronfranchise. The story is reportedly based on an original pitch by Thurber, though clearly inspired by the anime, and will co-write the script with Ellen Shanman (Crave).
As of now, multiple interested parties are in a bidding war for the package, with Warner Bros., Universal, and Amazon said to be leading the pack. Though Netflix has found success with Thurber withRed Notice, the streamer is reportedly not in the running for this new project. The original report states that a deal could be finalized as soon as this weekend.
Todd Lieberman and David Hoberman are producing the feature. Bob Koplar, head of World Events Productions whereVoltroncomes from, is also producing. Lieberman and Hoberman previously produced the live-action remake ofBeauty and the Beastand has more recently been working on the upcoming Lionsgate filmShotgun Wedding.
Voltronwas popularized stateside in the 1980s when it was introduced asVoltron: Defender of the Universe, an animated series consisting of footage from the Japanese seriesBeast King GoLionandKikou Kantai Dairuigger XV. The first season follows five pilots who command five robots that combine to form the titular Voltron. For a time,Voltronwas one of the most popular animated shows of the 1980s.
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Rawson Marshall Thurber Still Intends to Shoot Two Red Notice Sequels
This news comes after it had been reported that Rawson Marshall Thurber would be developing two sequels toRed Noticefor Netflix. What is unclear is ifVoltronwill take the lead on Thurber’s schedule as his next feature, or if he’ll first be shooting the twoRed Noticemovies. It’s possible that Netflix could end up competing with whomever lands theVoltronmovie for Thurber’s services after the project finds its home. In any case,Red Notice 2&3seem very important to Thurber, and they’re on the way regardless.
“If we were to make a sequel, the only responsible thing would be to make two and three back-to-back,” the director stated of theRed Noticesequels prior to them getting the green light. “It’s such a big production, and if you can mount it one time, it will be better for everyone. Including for my mental health.”
Voltronwas previously rebooted as an animated series at Netflix in 2016. That followed a previous reboot for NickToons in 2011 and decades of the original version maintaining a cult following through its home video releases. There have been previous attempts to develop a live-action Voltron movie, perhaps inspired by the success of Transformers, but the gears just weren’t able to get turning. At one point, DreamWorks had planned an animated adaptation, but that also ended up falling apart.
