Tobey Maguire to Star in Robotech?
From one tentpole to another?
Michael Bay, what hast thou wrought?
Watching the director's Transformers steamroll its way to a $300 million-plus gross this summer, you had to know there would be a wave of giant robot movies following in its wake, and the studios are doing their best to live up (or down) to expectations. Last month, we discussed the impending Voltron movie; now, from The Hollywood Reporter, comes word that Robotech could be following suit.
Producing and (possibly) starring is Toby Maguire, who tells the Reporter:
"We are very excited to bring 'Robotech' to the big screen...there is a rich mythology that will be a great foundation for a sophisticated, smart and entertaining film."
You heard him, folks: Giant robots. Smart, sophisticated giant robots.
Robotech is probably best known for being a popular syndicated anime series in the '80s, although it has also spun off a number of sequels and spinoffs in a wide variety of formats, including comics, cards, novels, an RPG line, and videogames. The core storyline, as summarized by the Reporter, is as follows:
A sprawling sci-fi epic, "Robotech" takes place at a time when Earth has developed giant robots from the technology on an alien spacecraft that crashed on a South Pacific isle. Mankind is forced to use the technology to fend off three successive waves of alien invasions. The first invasion concerns a battle with a race of giant warriors who seek to retrieve their flagship's energy source known as "protoculture," and the planet's survival ends up in the hands of two young pilots.
No target release is listed for the project.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Watching the director's Transformers steamroll its way to a $300 million-plus gross this summer, you had to know there would be a wave of giant robot movies following in its wake, and the studios are doing their best to live up (or down) to expectations. Last month, we discussed the impending Voltron movie; now, from The Hollywood Reporter, comes word that Robotech could be following suit.
Producing and (possibly) starring is Toby Maguire, who tells the Reporter:
"We are very excited to bring 'Robotech' to the big screen...there is a rich mythology that will be a great foundation for a sophisticated, smart and entertaining film."
You heard him, folks: Giant robots. Smart, sophisticated giant robots.
Robotech is probably best known for being a popular syndicated anime series in the '80s, although it has also spun off a number of sequels and spinoffs in a wide variety of formats, including comics, cards, novels, an RPG line, and videogames. The core storyline, as summarized by the Reporter, is as follows:
A sprawling sci-fi epic, "Robotech" takes place at a time when Earth has developed giant robots from the technology on an alien spacecraft that crashed on a South Pacific isle. Mankind is forced to use the technology to fend off three successive waves of alien invasions. The first invasion concerns a battle with a race of giant warriors who seek to retrieve their flagship's energy source known as "protoculture," and the planet's survival ends up in the hands of two young pilots.
No target release is listed for the project.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
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ericssin writes: on Sep 10 2007 07:06 AM OMG! please don't do a live action movie of this. you realize that if they do the movie will suck, I really doubt they could even come close to a good plot. (Reply to this) |
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MPSolo writes: on Sep 10 2007 07:09 AM I'd be more impressed if they came up with an original idea with giant robots. (Reply to this) |
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TheBerserker writes: on Sep 10 2007 08:07 AM Well, it can't get much worse than Transformers... (Reply to this) |
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rustdog writes: on Sep 10 2007 08:26 AM I always liked the Scott Bernard series the best, but I assume Maguire will be looking at the Rick Hunter character. The robotech fighters have always been some of the cooliest robots. If only somehow they can capture the charm of the 80's anime. (Reply to this) |
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kaedis writes: on Sep 10 2007 08:31 AM Oh ye of little faith. I assure you that Hollywood can certainly trump itself and make this movie a much larger abomination than Transformers ever was. I loved Robotech, it is one of my most cherished childhood shows. From the bottom of my heart I beg Hollywood, as a whole, DO NOT DO THIS! Leave Robotech alone and go find yourselves some other bit of nostalgia to mercilessly rape. Perhaps a Teddy Ruxpin movie? Certainly there are some delicious horrors you could visit upon that! (Reply to this) |
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apostate writes: on Sep 10 2007 10:13 AM I'll only go if there's someone singing "Zoom!Zoom! My Boyfirend's a Pilot Now!" (Reply to this) |
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patsloomis writes: on Sep 10 2007 10:37 AM It took rotten tomatoes a while to get this story up. Anyway, I would love to see this film. Good on Tobey, hopefully he does not change the plot way too much. (Reply to this) |
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sharpless writes: on Sep 10 2007 10:37 AM I'm excited. Michael Bay won't be involved, after all. (Reply to this) |
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PrecentorEpsilonXVI writes: on Sep 10 2007 10:37 AM Oh, for the love of Mike! NO! Please, Toby Maguire, rethink this! To make a live action movie of an American bastardization of a cherished and beloved anime series with a rich history and mythose such as this? It WILL suck. Do not do it, please... (I think I'm going to puke... seriously...) (Reply to this) |
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jaqu7 writes: on Sep 10 2007 11:05 AM Chill out. Geez. The movie might be good. Maybe even great. And so what if it isn't? The old series will still rock. You certainly don't HAVE to watch the new movie. (Reply to this) |
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dagreenman18 writes: on Sep 10 2007 11:46 AM WHAT THE ****?!?!? TOBEY MAGUIRE?!?! NO!!!!!!!!!!!! WHY MUST EVERYTHING I LOVE BE RAPED BY HOLLYWOOD?!?!?!?!?!? ps: don't tell Bay this is being made. he already ****ed up one license this year. (Reply to this) |
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Sputnik99 writes: on Sep 10 2007 11:46 AM You complainers are...well, complaining. Wait until you see a photo-realistic Veritech fighter on screen. You'll be drooling for more just like you were for Transformers in the early days. Good stories, even cartoons like the Macross saga, can't just sit in one format forever. Have you seen how many ways the Japanese have tried to milk the Macross saga for new cartoon entertainment? What else is left to do than to re-tell the original story, but in live-action? We can do it with today's technology. More people liked Transformers than disliked it, so maybe the same will be said for Robotech. I love Robotech. But I'm tired of watching the same old cartoons. Give me a new thrill, Hollywood. But make sure you do your damn best. (Reply to this) |
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apostate writes: on Sep 10 2007 12:16 PM I'm curious if there going to just stick to the "Macross" parts of the series. As "Robotech" was actually three different series mashed together. Of course with only a two hour movie I imagine you would have to stick with one part. (Reply to this) |
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CaptainSiberia writes: on Sep 10 2007 01:16 PM I have a great idea! Let's report on movies that at least sound like they'll be worth seeing! (Reply to this) |
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shattered-hero writes: on Sep 10 2007 01:26 PM Robotech is so much love. (Reply to this) |
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hotbox2001 writes: on Sep 10 2007 01:33 PM As long as there is no more redneck and hip hop east coast west coast stylin'breakdancing keeping it real yo type of awfulness we had to endure with Transformers,if that is culture today then I have no hope for the world...... (Reply to this) |
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Instructo writes: on Sep 10 2007 02:08 PM what's with all the anime adaptation movie news lately..robotech? Dragonball z? Speed Racer? what did hollywood run out of comics to adapt and now going for anime. (Reply to this) |
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VML writes: on Sep 10 2007 03:04 PM Not a good idea. ROBOTECH is a Frankenstein's monster of anime. Three animes in one. Too bad most Americans don't know that. So, when is the NEON GENESIS EVANGELION movie's going to be made? That anime was sooooooo much better. (Reply to this) |
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Hot_Soup writes: on Sep 10 2007 03:20 PM Giant Robot movie has an interesting psychological affect in me, everytime I hear it I think, but what about Evangelion? (Reply to this) |
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damvbat writes: on Sep 10 2007 05:22 PM It would be pretty cool if it was in 3-D (Reply to this) |
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