Sadly, the Voltron Force lions will not be assembling on the big screen after all. However, the Henry Cavill-led live-action adaptation of the beloved ’80s anime series is still coming in 2027, only now, directly to Prime Video. The classic weekday afternoon cartoon series, an adaptation of the Japanese series Beast King GoLion, remains an iconic ’80s property. But according to IGN, they always intended it for a straight-to-streaming debut. Henry Cavill is playing King Alfor of the planet Arus in the film. So he wouldn’t be piloting one of the lions, and would mainly appear in ghostly form, similar to Obi-Wan in the Star Wars films.
Red Notice and Skyscraper’s Rawson Marshall Thurber directs Voltron from a script he wrote with Ellen Shanman. The original Beast King GoLion series came out in Japan in 1981. It was adapted as Voltron: Defender of the Universe in North America in 1984. The series, about five pilots on a distant planet who control robotic lions, who then join together to become Voltron, was an instant hit, spawning toys and merchandise galore. Along with Robotech, it ushered in a new American appreciation for anime, helping form the anime-infused pop culture of today. Voltron came back several more times over the years, most recently on Netflix.
Amazon MGM Studios is behind the new Voltron, and they are also the studio behind Masters of the Universe. We suppose that if MOTU hits, they may feel differently about Voltron’s chances as a theatrical release. We’ll just have to wait and see. The film’s director said last year that the live-action version will “Stay true to the heart and the spirit of Voltron. In this film, we’re going to be introducing an entirely new generation of pilots.” So no Keith, Lance, Pidge, Hunk, or Princess Allura, it seems. But the villain King Zarkon remains, played by none other than Sterling K. Brown. Which has our interest at least somewhat piqued. Voltron lands on Prime Video sometime in 2027.