Amazon is reportedly close to signing a deal for the film rights to a live-action Voltron movie, beating Warner Bros. and Universal Pictures.
Amazon Studios is closing in on securing the film rights to Voltron of the director of red notice. Based on a Japanese program, the series focuses on a group of space adventurers who pilot robot lions that can combine into a giant form. The series exploded in popularity in the 1980s when it was syndicated in the United States as Voltron: Defender of the Universe. The franchise got a new revival in 2016 with Netflix Voltron: Legendary Defender.
Attempts to make a Voltron The film has been in various stages of development since 2005. Before it was revealed as an original film, many believed that Cloverfield was a secret Voltron movie due to the fact that many people misunderstood one of the lines in the movie like “it’s a lion, it’s huge”. The most recent report was that Rawson Marshall Thurber, who directed the film red notice for Netflix and the director of the hit comedy Dodgeball: A True Underdog Storywas to direct a live-action Voltron movie that united a bidding war.
According to DeadlineAmazon is reportedly close to securing the film rights to Voltron, although no agreement has yet been signed. The studio would have outstripped Warner Bros. and Universal Pictures, who were also in the running for the film rights. Although he worked with Thurber on red notice and producing the Voltron: Legendary Defender animated series, Netflix was not in the running.
Netflix passing Voltron is interesting given the strong connection to the brand, but the studio has no shortage of prized possessions. Netflix recently acquired Masters of the Universe film rights from Sony Pictures. Netflix has invested heavily in He-Man with Kevin Smith’s Masters of the Universe: RevelationsND Stevenson She-Ra and the Princess of Powerand child-centric CGI animation He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Netflix also produces a Gundam movie of Kong: Skull Island director Jordan Vogt-Roberts, so the studio will probably let go Voltron.
Acquisition of Amazon Studios Voltron also talks about the tech company’s attempt to grow its catalog with various IP addresses. The studio recently acquired MGM, which gave them access to film franchises like James Bond and Robocop. An important property like Voltron is likely to attract viewers to their streaming service. It will be interesting to see if the movie is an Amazon Prime exclusive or if Amazon gives the movie a theatrical release like they have done with movies like The big sick, Manchester by the seaand Be the Richardos.
Next: Why Netflix Has So Many He-Man Shows Right Now
Source: Deadline
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