The cast of Amazon MGM Studios’ live-action Voltron movie is steadily growing. The adaptation starring Man of Steel star Henry Cavill has added three new additions to the list: Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us), singer-songwriter Rita Ora, and John Kim (The Librarians).
Rawson Marshall Thurber, who previously helmed Netflix’s Red Notice, is directing the pic set to present a fresh spin on the beloved mecha anime. Relative newcomer Daniel Quinn-Toye has also been cast, with shooting taking place in Australia this December.
While plot and character details are being kept under wraps, the filmmaker offered a glimpse of the film’s creative direction. “I want to make sure that we stay true to the heart and the spirit of Voltron. In this film, we’re going to be introducing an entirely new generation of pilots,” said Thurber during this year’s VoltCon, a celebration of the franchise and an annual fan-run tribute to robot-related anime, toys, and collectibles.
“We’ve reimagined Voltron for the live-action world, but we’re going to stay true to…those iconic elements that you love, that I love. And I’m so excited to share it with you,” he added.
Based on the Japanese sci-fi series Beast King GoLion and Kikou Kantai Dairugger XV, Voltron: Defender of the Universe follows five young pilots in a battalion called the Robot Lions, which join together to form a mega-robot called Voltron. The show ran in the mid-1980s and has spawned several animated projects since, including a Netflix reboot titled Voltron: Legendary Defender in 2016.
Marking the first live-action adaptation in the series, the upcoming feature is produced by Todd Lieberman, Bob Koplar, Thurber, and David Hoberman based on a script written by Ellen Shanman. It currently has no release date.
As for Cavill, the Witcher star is keeping busy with John Wick director Chad Stahelski’s Highlander reboot and a Warhammer 40,000 show, although the latter’s fate remains in jeopardy as Amazon works towards finalising “creative guidelines” by the end of December 2024.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Natalie
Kevin Low
Edwin Teo
