Last March, it was announced that Sony Pictures had been planning to push through with the feature film adaptation of the anime classic ‘Robotech’, with the studio highlighting its “intention of moving quickly toward production of a future global franchise.”
‘Furious 7’ director James Wan is currently in talks to helm the upcoming ‘Robotech’ film version.
Also having previous directorial duties for ‘The Conjuring’, Wan has also been announced to be in negotiation with Warner Bros. to direct its ‘Aquaman’ feature film. In addition, he will also take the director’s chair for the recently confirmed ‘Fast & Furious 8.’
Created by Harmony Gold USA and Tatsunoko Productions, ‘Robotech’ made its debut in the 1980’s and incorporated the story and dialogue of several Japanese anime shows to come up with episodes enough to allow the series to air on a daily basis.
The shows that were re-edited and integrated into ‘Robotech’ included ‘The Super Dimension Fortress Macross’, ‘Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross’ and ‘Genesis Climber MOSPEADA.’
Recognized as a sci-fi epic story, ‘Robotech’ draws light to the events that happened after Earth developed giant robots using the technology found on an alien spacecraft which landed on a South Pacific land mass.
Humans are then forced to utilize such technology to keep several alien invasions away. The first invasion caused a battle with giant warriors whose goal was to retrieve their energy source termed as ‘protoculture’. Consequently, two young pilots step up to the challenge of fending off these aliens and saving the human race.
Columbia Pictures Production Chief Michael De Luca, who will be taking over the project, previously released the following statement: "With a history that offers an epic love triangle, a renegade hero, and a world on the brink of extinction, 'Robotech' offers a wide scope and a rich and impressive universe where the story possibilities are endless."
Gianni Nunnari and Mark Canton, who previously worked on the ‘Immortals’ and ‘300’ franchise, have also signed on to ‘Robotech’ as producers and will be developing the movie alongside Michael Gordon, who will be working on the screenplay. Gordon has also previously worked on ‘300’ as well as ‘G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.’
There had been previous plans of Warner Bros. developing a live-action film for ‘Robotech’ with Tobey MacGuire and Akiva Goldsman being set to produce. Leonardo diCaprio was also in talks to join the cast. However, the studio was not able to push through with the project, particularly when its plans of Nic Mathieu directing the movie did not happen.
