XPost: alt.tv.sentai   
      
   'Voltron' morphs into movie   
   By Borys Kit  Tue Jul 26, 1:30 AM ET   
   LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - "Voltron: Defender of the Universe"   
   is coming to the big screen.   
      
   Producer Mark Gordon ("The Day After Tomorrow") is developing a   
   big-budget feature based on the 1980s giant robot kids TV series and toy   
   sensation.   
   The "Voltron" animated TV series debuted in 1984, about the same time as   
   Hasbro's Transformers toy line, igniting a morphing robot phenomenon.   
   According to sources, Voltron has generated $750 million in worldwide   
   licensing and nearly $200 million in toys and merchandising since 1984.   
   The show, in its many incarnations, remains syndicated throughout the   
   world.   
   The story being developed will be based on the series about five   
   maverick explorer-pilots who must travel to the planet Arus to learn how   
   to operate Voltron, a giant mechanical warrior formed by five smaller   
   robots. The gargantuan robot is the last hope against the evil Drule   
   Empire that has subjugated Earth and taken control of the universe.   
   Two employees at New Line Cinema, Mark Costa and Ford Oelman, secured   
   the rights from "Voltron" owner World Events, and eventually brought the   
   project to Gordon, whose credits also include "Saving Private Ryan" and   
   "Speed." Costa and Oelman will executive produce, along with Pharrell   
   Williams, one-half of the producing duo the Neptunes, who will score the   
   film and produce the soundtrack.   
   "Voltron" is now the second giant robot picture being developed;   
   "Transformers" is set up at DreamWorks Pictures.   
   Reuters/Hollywood Reporter   
      
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