Relativity Media has announced that they have optioned the feature film rights to Voltron from World Event Productions, and that they plan on making a live–action feature based on the popular 1984 animated series, Voltron: Defender of the Universe. The hopes are that this can turn into a big new franchise for the studio.

Charles Roven and Richard Suckle of Atlas Entertainment brought the opportunity to Relativity, and they will act as shepherds to the development of the movie.

Voltron follows five young warriors who all pilot powerful high–tech Robot Lions that, when necessary, can join together to create a massive force called Voltron. The team uses these robots and the ability to form into Voltron to defend the galaxy from any threats that may arise.

The animated series’ original run was only from 1984 to 1985, but the show and characters have remained popular over time, with new animated series arriving in 1998 and again right here in 2011 on Nicktoons. Movie adaptations of the series have been talked about for a long while, but nothing has ever quite worked out.

Of the announcement, Relativity’s President of Worldwide Production, Tucker Tooley, said “For nearly three decades, Voltron has captured the minds of a nostalgically loyal and rabid fan base and has long been considered a hotly-pursued project. We are beyond excited World Event Productions and Atlas Entertainment have placed their trust and faith in Relativity to bring this coveted property to the big screen, and usher in a new generation of devoted fans. With Chuck and Richard’s experience producing tentpoles, they are the perfect producers to bring this potential franchise to theaters.”

No timetable for the development and eventual production of this new Voltron movie project is known as of yet.

[Source: Relativity]