10 Upcoming Movie Adaptations Of Japanese Anime (And If They Will Work)

10. Voltron

The Anime:

Initially produced as a joint venture between World Event Productions and Toei Animation, Voltron aired from September 1984 to November 1985. The English language series (known as Voltron: Defender of the Universe) was actually put together using two different Japanese anime series - Beast King GoLion and Armored Fleet Dairugger XV. Having no available means to translate the show, the producers surmised the plots, created all-new dialogue and edited out the bulk of the violence.

What We Know:

Relativity Media’s President of Worldwide Production Tucker Tooley announced back in 2011 that the studio had optioned the feature film rights for Voltron and would adapt the live-action version from the 1984 series Defender of the Universe. Production appears to have hit a snag, however, and the latest news is that DreamWorks are looking to adapt Voltron in its orignal serial format with Netflix as the distributor.

Will It Work?

The success of a live-action Voltron depends entirely on the eventual format - taken to the big screen, there is every chance it will become a carbon copy of Transformers, which, while potentially profitable, will likely result in another boring and entirely unnecessary blockbuster franchise. If given the TV treatment, however, there is no reason that Voltron can't become the next binge-worthy Netflix Original series.