Amazon MGM’s Voltron Movie: What We Know So Far About The Sci-Fi Film

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As a child of the ’80s, I can still vividly remember the excitement that swept through our small town when news broke about the upcoming live-action Voltron movie. The original animated series was a staple of my childhood, and the thought of seeing the iconic robot brought to life on the big screen was nothing short of exhilarating.

It appears that every 1980s Saturday morning cartoon has been transformed into a live-action film, but this isn’t entirely accurate. For years, fans have eagerly anticipated a live-action Voltron movie, and fortunately, their long wait is nearly at an end.

In this article, we’ll explore the details of the highly anticipated sci-fi film based on the beloved animated series “Voltron,” which Amazon MGM has acquired and is nearly ready for production. With a renowned action director at the helm and an impressive ensemble cast, here’s what you need to know about this exciting project as we eagerly anticipate its launch.

What Is The Voltron Release Date?

Currently, as of November 2024, there’s no confirmed release date for Amazon MGM’s Voltron film. In fact, there’s been no news regarding when principal production might start. Given this information, it seems unlikely that we’ll be able to add Voltron to our 2025 movie schedule.

What Voltron Is About

Originating from the distant past, unexplored corners of the cosmos (or more precisely, in 1984 from Japan), emerged the timeless animated TV show, “Voltron: Defender of the Universe.” This captivating series was not originally created by Ted Koplar and Peter Keefe but rather was a modified version, with dialogues dubbed over and edits made, of Saburō Yatsude’s Japanese anime series “Beast King GoLion,” which first premiered three years prior.

The initial installment of the science fiction series, part of a larger collection, follows the thrilling journeys of a quintet of young astronauts who control robots shaped like lions that can merge into a colossal combat robot. Exactly how this series will be revamped and what fresh adventures these courageous protectors will face in Amazon MGM’s upcoming Voltron has yet to be revealed.

The Voltron Cast

At this point, we’re equally unsure about who exactly plays which character in the Voltron cast, as their roles have yet to be revealed. Yet, the team they’ve assembled promises an electrifying experience.

Henry Cavill

Among the much-awaited upcoming films featuring Henry Cavill is “Voltron”, along with Chad Stahelski’s reimagining of the classic film, “Highlander“, and a future combat epic for Amazon titled “Warhammer 40K” – inspired by the tabletop game. Notably, Cavill has previously starred as Superman in the DCEU and portrayed Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s adaptation of “The Witcher“.

Sterling K. Brown

Sterling K. Brown, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, is also recognized for his roles in hit superhero films like Black Panther (2018) and sci-fi movie reboots such as The Predator from the same year. However, he is most famously known for his Emmy-winning portrayal of Randall Pearson on NBC’s This is Us and his Academy Award-nominated performance as Clifford Ellison in American Fiction.

Rita Ora

Rita Ora initially started her acting journey at the age of 13, appearing in British dramas like “The Brief” and crime film “Spivs” in 2004. However, it was her portrayal of Mia in the cast of “Fifty Shades of Grey” that marked a significant breakthrough for her as an actor. Following this success, she has gone on to act in movies such as “Detective Pikachu,” “Wonderwell” alongside Carrie Fisher, and the Netflix animated series “Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight.” Besides being a pop singer-songwriter, Rita Ora is also a panelist for the UK version of “The Mask Singer.

John Kim

Previously, John Kim has appeared in several TV shows that were adaptations of well-known properties. Examples include TNT’s The Librarians (based on a series of made-for-TV movies), The CW’s Nancy Drew (based on the famous mystery novels), Apple TV+’s The Last Thing He Told Me (based on Laura Dave’s book), and Amazon’s Cruel Intentions series. Notably, he is also recognized for his roles in Australian soap opera Neighbours, the 2021 detective thriller The Little Things, Netflix’s Purple Hearts, and Fox’s 9-1-1.

Alba Baptista

Known primarily for helming Netflix’s “Warrior Nun,” Alba Baptista also made a lasting impression with her role in “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris.” This talented Portuguese actress is set to appear in an upcoming film titled “Mother Mary” from A24.

Samson Kayo

Viewers might remember Samson Kayo from his role as paramedic Maleek in the English sitcom “Bloods,” Oluwande in Max’s cancelled adventure comedy “Our Flag Means Death,” or from the voice cast of “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” as Baby Bear. This British-Nigerian comedian is also recognized for his role as Mujja in “House of the Dragon” Season 2, and he’s slated to act alongside Brad Pitt in Joseph Kosinski’s upcoming film “F1.

Tharanya Tharan

Tharanya Tharan is set to appear in her first major film role in the movie titled “Voltron”. Prior to this, she gained recognition from her part in the sports drama “Mustangs FC”, followed by acting alongside Charlie Hunnam on the action series “Shantaram” available on Apple TV+, and featuring prominently in the TV series “Year Of”.

Daniel Quinn-Toye

Daniel Quinn-Toye, the Scottish actor, is set for a significant cinematic milestone with Voltron, as his debut feature, the World War II drama titled Pressure, is being produced. To date, his acting resume includes only one screen credit – a 2014 episode of the sitcom called Badults.

Rawson Marshall Thurber Is Directing Voltron

The person helming Voltron is Rawson Marshall Thurber, whose involvement with the project was initially announced in 2022. In a video shown at 2024’s Voltcon (which the filmmaker also shared on Instagram), he had this to say about his intentions for the film:

I aim to ensure that the essence and charm of Voltron remain intact in this upcoming film. We are introducing a fresh crew of pilots, but rest assured, we have adapted Voltron for live-action while preserving those classic features you cherish, including elements dear to me as well. I can’t wait to unveil it all to you!

As a devotee, I can’t help but appreciate the versatility that director Rawson Marshall Thurber showcases. Recently, he’s been at the helm of some unforgettable Dwayne Johnson flicks – like 2016’s “Central Intelligence”, the thrilling “Skyscraper” from 2018, and the action-packed “Red Notice” in 2021. Yet, his journey as a director began with the hilarious slapstick comedy “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story” released in 2004. Post that, he ventured into diverse territories, such as the heartfelt LGBTQ+ coming-of-age film “The Mysteries of Pittsburgh” in 2008, and the road trip comedy “We’re the Millers”, starring Jason Sudeikis and Jennifer Aniston.

Plans For A Voltron Movie Date Back To The Mid-2000s

The upcoming “Voltron” live-action film has only recently taken flight, but its creation has been underway for close to twenty years. Back in 2005, it was announced that producer Mark Gordon was partnering with Pharrell Williams for an adaptation. This project was allegedly aimed at capitalizing on the excitement surrounding Michael Bay’s first “Transformers” film, another robot-based cartoon adaptation.

In 2011, Relativity Media acquired the rights to produce a feature film, but their bankruptcy filing in 2015 put the project on hold. Later in 2016, Universal and DreamWorks Animation stepped in to continue the project, but news about its progress ceased until Amazon and MGM took over the production.

How To Watch The Original Voltron TV Show

Voltron: Defender of the Universe remains a beloved classic that fans still watch to this day… primarily on DVD, as the series’ original, English-dubbed iteration is currently not streaming in its completion. However, with a Netflix subscription, you can check out the latest, well-received installment of the franchise, Voltron: Legendary Defender, which aired from 2016 to 2018.

  • Buy Voltron on DVD on Amazon
  • Stream Voltron: Legendary Defender on Netflix

Back in 2007, there was a strong belief among fans that a Voltron film was imminent, sparked by the appearance of a cryptic movie trailer. In this clip, a character from New York exclaims, “I saw it. It’s a lion. It’s huge!”, which, as it turned out, was actually, “I saw it. It’s alive. It’s huge!” This trailer was actually a sneak peek for the yet-to-be-named horror film, Cloverfield. Fingers crossed that when the genuine Voltron movie trailer arrives, fans won’t mistake it for another monster flick.

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2024-12-02 00:08