Voltron Holds A Personal Spot In My Childhood, So Here Is What I Want To See From The Henry Cavill Movie

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The long-anticipated live-action remake of the ’80s animated series “Voltron” officially began filming towards the end of last year. Although no official release date has been set, we do know that the film boasts an impressive ensemble cast featuring Henry Cavill, Sterling K. Brown, Rita Ora, Alba Baptista, and others. The specific roles each actor is playing have not yet been disclosed, but I can’t help but speculate on this and many other topics as “Voltron” holds a dear spot in the hearts of my fellow Gen Xers.

It All Started In St. Louis

I hail from the city of St. Louis, a fact unknown to me at the time, but it was this very location that played a pivotal role in bringing us the iconic series, Voltron. The man responsible for this was Ted Kopler, a local TV executive who owned a station called KPLR – a fun little coincidence, don’t you think? In the 80s, it is said that to create programming his children would appreciate, Kopler had an ingenious idea: he would purchase foreign kids’ shows and adapt them for American audiences.

Through a surprising turn of events, when Koplar stumbled upon three Japanese anime at a trade fair, he decided to purchase all of them. However, instead of one titled “Beast King GoLion“, another was accidentally sent. To his delight, Koplar found himself captivated by this mix-up. Later, with an English audio track added and some modifications made, it transformed into “Voltron: Defender Of The Universe“.

Residents of St. Louis take great pride in their city, despite not always receiving favorable coverage from national media outlets. However, something special originated here that has now become a global phenomenon. It all started as a small television station located in the Central West End neighborhood of St. Louis, and it has since expanded into an international franchise. The latest development, which is a live-action adaptation, promises to be the most thrilling chapter yet.

We’re Getting New Characters

Beyond the main characters, it has been confirmed that the upcoming film will introduce a fresh group of aviators, as reported by Deadline. While I’m eager to revisit the familiar faces, there are creative means to incorporate their narrative within the movie.

In many instances, Japanese anime adaptations like Beast King GoLion tend to have a more mature theme compared to their original stories. This version included character deaths, slavery, and substance abuse. Given that Voltron was intended for children during the afternoon, it’s no surprise that most of these elements were omitted. A live-action adaptation provides an ideal platform to incorporate some of those grittier aspects, thereby creating complex and, let’s face it, more captivating character motivations.

One character, named Sven, gained legendary status on the playground following an injury sustained during the show. Speculation about his whereabouts ran rampant among kickball players, but it was eventually revealed that he had merely been recovering from an injury. In the animated series Beast King GoLion, Sven’s history involved him losing his leadership position due to substance abuse issues.

Sterling K. Brown, whose Hulu series “Paradise” recently concluded its first season and can be streamed in its entirety on Hulu and Disney+, would be an ideal fit for a character that encompasses some of his background. Sven is a complex character from the original “Beast King GoLion,” and although certain aspects of his darker past, such as drug abuse, were altered for “Voltron,” it remains a demanding role, one at which Brown excels.

It All Comes Full Circle

For me, a resident of St. Louis, one of the most exciting aspects of this adaptation is the fact that Sterling K. Brown, a fellow St. Louisan, is among the stars. Additionally, Bob Kopler, who happens to be the son of Ted Kopler (the man credited with bringing Voltron into existence), is one of the producers for the upcoming sci-fi movie. With filming now underway, St. Louis eagerly awaits the return of Voltron to protect the universe once more.

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2025-03-11 12:09