Voltron news has been pretty dry in the past few months, especially on the newest cartoon, Voltron Force. Nonetheless, Voltron is a pretty popular subject and news on who has the license for the upcoming toy line has emerged. While the cartoon commands a strong following, the toys do as well, and the company who has the license now is none other than ….Mattel!
Variety has posted an article today with details on both the new cartoon, and Mattel’s upcoming toyline:
Starting next year, Nicktoons will air 26 half-hour episodes of “Voltron Force,” about five space explorers who pilot robotic lions that combine to form Voltron, an invincible guardian sworn to defend the Universe.
Series will remain faithful to the old show, while introducing new recruits to fight alongside the original characters.
New episodes will be timed to the 25th anniverseries. It’s the first “Voltron” TV project in 10 years, although an iPhone game came out in December.
WEP and Classic Media (“Casper the Friendly Ghost,” “Where’s Waldo?”) will produce the toon with Kickstart Prods. (“Wolverine and the X-Men”). Classic Media is shepherding international distribution, merchandising and licensing deals.
Mattel will tie-in with the anniversary to launch toys based on the classic “Voltron” range, as well as action figures and playsets that revolve around an edgier, modernized robot. There is no date on when the toys will hit shelves.
“What’s paramount is getting the toys right,” Ted Koplar, president of St. Louis-based WEP told Daily Variety. “They’re pretty involved toys that have to transform and fit together.”
WEP and Classic Media had been developing a live action feature for some time but scribes, including Justin Marks, have yet to lock down the right tone, producers said.
Will Mattel follow previous companies who had licenses for Voltron, in making versions of Voltron with diecast metal? Do you think Mattel can pull this off? They aren’t exactly a stranger to Voltron. Share your thoughts after hitting the discuss button below!
Talk about everything Voltron in this thread!
To view images and information on the Voltron Masterpiece Edition go here:
Toynami: VOLTRON MASTERPIECE EDITION
There is a plastic version of this toy now that is half the price, I think I might pick it up this weekend.
The Masterpiece is quite something though. I remember when TRU had, I think it was the plastic one, for something pretty cheap.
Very nice. It's a grand update of an already cool toy.
Is this a re-release, or a new one? I remember this coming out a few years ago, is it the same Masterpiece?
I have always had this on the back burner of things to get. But with the onslaught of stuff coming out, now, I don't know if I will get it soon.
It is a very nice piece, though.
MP Voltron is very tempting for me, especially since he's now available in a cheaper plastic version. I may have to break down and finally get him.
I definately recommend the plastic MP Voltron if you can get it. A great display piece and toy.
I have always had this on the back burner of things to get. But with the onslaught of stuff coming out, now, I don't know if I will get it soon.
It is a very nice piece, though.
I own it the metal one. Best version of Voltron I have.
Ah, plastic version...half price, huh? The main reason I didn't get the set was the $100 price tag. $50 really isn't bad.
cough *Premium versions* cough
(Sorry, childhood was raped, k?)
cough *Premium versions* cough
(Sorry, childhood was raped, k?)
where is the :lol smiley?
We need more smileys up in here!
Let's not start the Bay-bashing here guys, 'kay?
I'd definitely be interested in a plastic version. The last Voltron I got was the 2 ft. tall plastic one that was huge. Still have it actually, though the sword has warped a bit due to the soft plastic.
Any idea on whether it's going to be online or retail?
I wasn't trying to bash Bay at all, I was more joking about the kinds of things people said last year...I was totally kidding around, man, sorry if it came across like something else.
I wasn't Bay bashing either. I was just following one joke with another.
No problem, just those kinds of things tend to get out of hand rather quickly.
I have wanted this Masterpiece Voltron for awhile now but the $100 price point was a bit too high for me. I'm very happy that they now have a plastic version at half the price. I look at it this way, most of the toys that are out right now are plastic and look great. Sure the original one was die-cast, but so were some of parts of many G1 Transformers. The new Transformers Classics line is great and they are not die-cast metal. I'm sure if they re-released some of the G1 line as encore Transformers without the metal die-cast parts they would be just as nice.
Many of you have mentioned that the die-cast metal arms of Votron make him too heavy so that he can't hold up his sword, or that he falls over. I have the same problem with my original die-cast Voltron from the 80's. A plastic version came out a few years ago and I bought that one as well. He doesn't seem to have any problems standing up or holding up his weapons.
If this new plastic Masterpiece version solves those problems then I'm all for it, even if that means he is "chrome-less".
I would love to hear more feedback on this before I go out and buy one though.
On topic, I might just grab this for $50
*places on back burner*
I know everyone loved the Lion Voltron back in the day but how come the Vehicle Voltron didn't even come close to being as popular? Was it that the cartoon featuring the vehicles wasn't as good?
Don't get me wrong I love the lions and their combined look, but the Vehicle Voltron had alot of playability. Besides combining to Voltron, you had all the individual vehicles that made up different teams, that combined into super vehicles.
I loved mine as a kid, I had alot of fun with it.
Lots of love here... I just think as kids it was hard for them to get past the visual of the Lion team. No one even remembers let alone loves the OTHER Voltron... The Albegas trio.
Keep reading: The Voltron Thread - Page 2
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