Live-action Robotech movie in the works
By Peter Rojas 
posted Sep 9th 2007 6:23PM
posted Sep 9th 2007 6:23PM
Not sure if he'd be playing Rick Hunter, Roy Fokker, or even (gasp!) Breetai, but according to the Hollywood Reporter, Tobey Maguire is going to produce, and possibly star in, a live-action movie based on the Robotech TV series which pretty became the entire focus of my life when I was in 5th grade. (You seriously don't want to know how much of my spare time I devoted to tracking down even the most mundane details about the SDF-1, Veritech fighters, the Invid, and protoculture -- or to futilely trying to find a long-rumored VBF-1A Beta fighter to go with the die-cast plastic VAF-6 Alpha fighter I'd bought). Anyone who got into the show in the mid-Eighties will tell you that Robotech had a level of depth and realism well beyond that of any other animated series on US television at the time, which isn't at all surprising considering its Japanese origins (Robotech is credited with helping introduce anime to American audiences). Anyway, hopefully Tobey won't dumb things down like Michael Bay did with the Transformers movie. It was tough enough discovering a few years later that the entire show was actually three entirely different Japanese anime series awkwardly grafted together so that they'd have enough episodes for syndication in the US market -- turning Robotech into yet another mindless action fest might just be too much to take.
macross plus and macross zero were sweet!
I agree, Those two were awesome. I doubt it'd be based on Macross Zero because The whole reference to the Zero fighters would not go too well with the general audience. And I doubt Harmony Gold has the rights for Macross Plus. Most likely it'll be a new story to the original series. Although, I think the "Next Generation" would have been awesome.
Your comment system has become more friendly. Thanks
You think your a Robotech nut?
We're so crazy we're still trying to build a game based on it.
http://www.robotechmmo.com
Dear God! Another Robot Jox is on the way!
Tobey Maguire...we're all hardcore Robotech fans...I to grew up with this cartoon, if you mess this up, i swear i'll start a petition to make sure u never do another movie again...This movie is a serious thing, & after that last spider-whatever you call it; you kinda losts alot of points. We want the experience to be more genuwine because this is apart of a generation where the ideas were great. I mean, the story line is the best & please try not to change much about the movie. Honestly you'll get more praise if you stick to the orginal storyline than changing everything for hollywood. But please whatever you do, "DO NOT MAKE THIS A PG-13 TYPE OF MOVIE." Robotech is "R" movie, this is the 1st cartoon I saw someone get killed in, it doesnt have to be so graffic, but it does deserve to have as much realism as possible. Goodluck...Alot is ridding on this project.
i was waiting someone to make it! finally! :D i hope will be good
I have no idea what the Robotek is but it sounds like a right load of bum crust. Nearly as bad as Peter (Lord of the Rings) Jakson making Halo the film, sadley this is actually true. God the robot in that picture looks like a right knob jokey, nice shoes.
um, wow.
If you can't appreciate good ole' hand-drawn animation, then GTFO.
As exciting as a live-action movie would be, it is also frightening...please don't screw this up, Tobey...
I absolutely can't believe how someone can find engadget yet fail to dig up information about macross ...
Alright.. who let the troll out from under the bridge? Really now, we have to be more responsible about not letting them get on here in the first place. Then, once they're here all they want is to be fed...
Pete you know that Toynami is set to release the Beta fighter sometime in '08 right? It even docks with the Alpha fighters they sold this year. They had a prototype on display at comic-con and it looked pretty sweet.
I like Toby and all, but Rick is supposedly a fresh-faced 17 year old at the beginning of the series. babyface or no, he's getting a little long in the tooth to be filling that flight suit at this point. No way he could play Folker either... that sort of character requires someone more like Val Kilmer in Tombstone: playful gambling alcoholic ladies man on the ground, cold blooded fearless ace fighter jock in the cockpit. Edward James Almos would make a badass Admiral Gloval though.
Tobey could play Max. In fact, he would make a good Max when you think of the fight scene between Max and Miriya when she first gets on the SDF-1.
That's exactly what I thought when I saw him on Battlestar! "That's Admiral Gloval, that is!"
As much as I would love to see how they would do Alphas and Cyclones, I think the story for the original Do You Remember Love would make a better live action movie. The Geek Starts Now!
yeah, I hope it isn't as dumbed down as Transformers either. Seriously, why couldn't Michael Bay make a serious movie about the war between good and bad vehicles that transform into 20-foot tall robots?
I know! The whole time I watched Transformers I was thinking, "Where is the Shakespearean-level of depth of the original Transformers?"
*cough* 37
This is where it all began for many tech-freaks,that are now between 25-30.Gentlemen we are OLD...
*cough* 34
*cough* *cough* 33
23!
31
i wonder if our granchildren are going to complain about us being too geeky as our parents did...
anyway, i kinda understand that transformers was "dumbed down", since it was never anything but an animated toy commercial, but robotech is something quite different, even the stitched version, so maguire better dont dissapoint us, or our revenge will be swift and geek
:P
18!
34 here, too.
31 (as of yesterday)
38!
42
I would prefer to see a movie based on Battletech or MechWarrior. I always thought those transforming airplane-type Mechs were pretty lame. I preverred the chicken walkers, myself.
Madcats, Mauraders and Shadowcats, Oh My!
29! as if Saturday
*ahem* 33.
My younger brother had an Alpha and a Beta (we lived in Germany as kids, I think he got the Beta in Italy). Anyway, my mom made him sell them at a yardsale when we moved. He cried.
Now I cry....
Cash is so right about the Beta. Here's a link to see Toynami's Beta fighter:
http://macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?showtopic=22436&hl=beta
Pretty sweet.
As long as the Itano Circus is pleantiful, then I couldn't give a toss about the plot. Hollywood will inevitably butcher it anyway, so I don't see much point in getting my hopes up.
Now that Transformers has been proved to be successful, expect to see this and other movies catering to the 20's to 30's crowd's desire for youthful escapism. Expect a Voltron, Thunder Cats, GI Joe, ...My Little Pony (only half joking) movie in the near future. Also, how was Transformers "dumbed down"? I don't remember any higher meaning to any of the cartoons of my youth. If anything, the movie was smartened up (a tiny, tiny amount). I point to the Dinobots as proof.
Transformers was a good action movie mixed with a bad "American Pie" movie. That's how it was dumbed down. Case in point; the scene with the robots trying to hide in the garden.
It is hard to imagine them being able to do something similar with Robotech. I personally hope we'll get something along the lines of Stargate and Farscape, or at least something a little better than Starship Troopers though perhaps with a similar feel.
I used to run home from school to catch Robotech... and when Roy (spoiler alert) bit the big one, it hit pretty hard. Luckily, my dog died a few years later and it made Roy seem trivial.
Wait. That came out wrong.
Stupid question, but who/what is that pictured in the graphic?
I had a Transformer in the mid-80s that looked just like it called "Jetfire", I believe. He was soo much larger than all my other Transformers that I thought he wasn't actually meant to be a Transformer toy.
Just curious.
That's a Valkyrie from Macross (known as a Veritech in Robotech).
The Jetfire/Skyfire toy was essentially a Macross toy grafted onto the Transformers line (many Transformers were actually transformable robots from various toylines, etc.).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VF-1_Valkyrie
yes, that's "jetfire" ... the jetfire design was borrowed from macross.
...Thanks for the info. That explains his size in comparison to other similar transformers like Starscream.
I've always had mixed feelings about a live action movie. I think it could be awesome, but then again, its Hollywood. So the likelihood of it sucking big time, will be quite high.
Me thinks though, that Robotech would be better served as a mini-series (a true mini-series like Taken, not BSG).
Also, the only part I could see Tobey as, is Max Sterling. He pulls off that nerdy look quite well. I can't see him as Rick or Roy.
I was thinking the same thing. Max Sterling totally. I always thought BSG though was a lot like Robotech, down to the design of the uniforms. I think this thing can be great because Robotech wasn't about AI, but about Mecha and pilots
Hugh Jackman could pull off Roy. Given his complexion and a bad, blonde hair-dye I think he'd look the part.
Halle Berry for Claudia!
This got mentioned on /. . Somebody mentioned some stars they'd like to see and most I didn't care one way or the other, but s/he listed Kelly Clarkson for Lin Minmay (spelling?). NO! Nothing against Clarkson, but the Minmay character (love her or hate her) is the embodiment of the Japanese concept of 'cuteness' (kawaisa) and Clarkson just doesn't come close. Probably should be a super-cute, youngish, Japanese actress who really understands and exemplifies kawaisa.
More important is the treatment such a film deserves. My take on it is this: The team producing SiFi channel's Battlestar Galactica should produce this as a series, or at least a mini series. This team creates a high level of intensity and excellent character development, both hallmarks of the Robotech I remember.
I second the nomination of E J Olmos for the Admiral!
I was but one year old when Robotech aired. It wasn't until Toonami showed it in the mid-90s that I saw it. It was love at first flight...
I too was scarred once I found out it had been the child of three spliced together Japanese cartoons. I always wondered why in the middle segment the "remains" of the SDF-1 were grassy mesas...(WTF?!?)... The fact that they never quite pinned down what protoculture was by the end of Mospeada always bothered me as well.
There were countless hours of research dedicated to finding out whatever I could about Robotech and Gundam.
As such, when I say they couldn't even pull off an animated movie sequel (The Sentinels) or a sequel series, I shudder to think what could become of a live-action movie. Harmony Gold and ADV will inevitable have a hand in it, so don't think they won't.
In the least, it had better follow the main storyline, unlike the videogames (GBA game excluded, though it was bad...). Couldn't care less about Jack Archer...
They did recently make the movie "The Shadow Chronicles," which is a sequel to the 'Masters' arc... I still haven't had a chance to see it, but an official sequel does exist, fyi. :-)
True, I did forget the Shadow Chronicles. Perhaps there is more hope than I thought...
The three grassy mesas were supposed to be the SDF-1, the SDF-2 and Khyron's cruiser, which were all apparently destroyed in the final battle of the Macross saga... of course the SDF-2 never really existed per se, and was written into the script to explain the 3 mounds in the Southern Cross storyline.
omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok, now that that is over, I really, REALLY hope Toby doesn't screw this up. I'm tired of hoping directors/producers won't screw things up, but I'm really hoping in this case. Transformers was a movie I loved, but I took it for what its worth, a transformers remake, not TRANSFORMERS. I hope that this one can be something more legitimate than the empty headed popcorn fun shell that was transformers.
Wow, awesome!
What about playing Max? I think he'd be perfect for that.
George Lucas spoiled my childhood dream with the prequels, Michael Bay made an entertaining, yet wholly unsatisfying stab at another. For the love of all that is holy, make this movie kick ass.
And thank you Peter, I was beginning to think I was the only one so obsessed with Robotech in the 80's. Even bought that lame videogame a few years back.
ps- today during the previews before 3:10 to Yuma (good movie by the way) there was an ad for anime being shown at theaters during September, including Robotech. The site was Phantom(Fantom) something, but I can't remember what is was. Hopefully someone here has more info.
minmei sucks. Roy Fokker rocks
From what I read, he wants the lead role.
I may cry if he plays Rick...he's too old now and while that hasn't always been a problem, he has been starting to look his age in recent years.
just dont let michael bay direct it and everything will be ok
Wtf is "Robotech"? Are you talking about the non-existent English crapbomb of Macross?
If it is made in Hollywood, or with the backing of a Hollywood studio, then it will be dumbed down in order to appeal to the masses and consequently make money.
Movies aren't about telling stories anymore, they are a product which someone has invested money in with the aim of producing fiscal returns.
I hear you on that. It sucks that they care more for money in Hollywood and not on the 'magic' that came with going to see a great movie.
we love engadget!
太空堡垒~~~~~
This made my day, even though hollywood will probably ruin it. Does tobey mcguire seem like a guy that would want to take on this project, though? is he a secret die hard fan?
They should forget about a Robotech and move on to more pressing matters, such as a Thundercats movie.
YES YES YES... FUCKING YES!!!! Please Toby, dont fuck this up! Stick to the story line of the original series and dont mess with the designs, unless you can make them look meaner.. and no god damn lips!
I became a HUGE Robotech fan when I first saw it due to the fact that it was so in depth AND that people actually died in it. Unlike GI Joe where no one ever got hit, and even when the planes got shot down, there was ALWAYS a parachute. That irked me to no end. I have been waiting for THIS movie to be made (literally) for about 6 or 7 years now.
Thanks Toby.. but again.. dont hose this up buddy!
Isn't Macross part of the Robotech universe? I hope this movie is made for existing fans of Robotech (20-30 somethings) rather than those who have never yet heard of it. We'll buy the action figures, too, Hollywood!
You have it backwards Robotech is part of the Macross Universe
@Joe: No, Robotech is not part of the Macross universe.
This is what happened:
"Super Dimension Fortress Macross," "Super Dimensional Cavalry Southern Cross," and "Genesis Climber Mospeada" were three stand alone anime series. Harmony Gold acquired the rights to them, but realized that, on their own, they were too short to get into US syndication. So, they quickly (in something like three months) re-tooled the scripts and recorded English dubs for all three series in order to make them seem as though they were three generations of the same continuity.
So, yes, the animation in the first part of the series is "Macross," but the storyline only basically follows the original.
If you want the see the originals of any of the series, ADV has released them in remastered editions on robotech.com (there's a subtitled and a dubbed edition of "Macross," and the dubbed isn't yet complete, so watch what you pick up).
@Geoffery
"So, yes, the animation in the first part of the series is "Macross,"
and all of the sequels to the original series were also called Macross. What we know as Robotech is only 3 stories in the overall Macross universe.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macross
No, only the first of those 3 stories is Macross. The other two have nothing to do /w the Macross universe.
Why not Gundam? I think a live-action version of 08th MS Team could turn out pretty good...
Should be interesting, i just hope they stick with the original series. IMO the second one was just terrible, but I guess that's what happens when you cram a totally different series into your story arc.
But the third actually works well. And, speaking as someone who recently watched the entire series on DVD, the second part (Southern Cross) isn't as bad as we remember it from 20 years ago...
I'm actually really hoping that they go with the canon from the novels...it's definitely what I go off of. The series is wonderful, and the novels just make it even more so, and go so much more in depth about many things that are just passed over or unexplained in the show.
I love Macross and Robotech. It will be sad to see Hollywood ruin it.
personally i'd like to see them stick to the macross saga, ditch the later robotech generations entirely, and hell, stick to the japanese version of protoculture, instead of implying it's some form of limitless energy. i guess in other words, just make macross (with a dash of macross plus/top gun fetishization of transforming jet planes). it was much more interesting as originally written, esp when they get into the origins of the human race.
I totally agree man!
seriously. when are they going to start making movies base on japanese anime.
here are my favourites:
Saint Seiya, fist of north start, gundamn....
engadget should create a poll on which anime/cartoon classic should be made into a live action movie!
(i vote for G.I. Joe, with Arnold Vosloo (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0903677/) playing the steel-faced Destro!!!)
Well, here you go.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1046173/
It looks like G.I. Joe the movie will be released in 2009.
PRAISE THE PROTOCULTURE, IT'S ABOUT TIME!!
Please, for the love of all that I hold dear, do not screw it up!
I swear this better get the Lord of the Rings special effect treatment or its gonna suck ass. Makes me wonder if they can put the Tie fighter vs X wing fighter dogfights in Starwars to shame. C'mon Tobey you kinda sucked in the last Spiderman movie... redeem yourself and whip out a kick ass Robotech flick that has been 30 years in the waiting.
yes! I hope it get a big budget special effect treatment too. I have these great ideas in mind that they should do but know they wont. have you played Project Sylpheed yet on the 360, not the best game, but damn the robotech/macross feel is there with all those missiles flying around. they need to do it with this movie. lots of explosions and a dark story that is serious not like independence day that was over killed by trying to have too much comidy in it.
Hmmm but who will they cast to be as annoying and Minme. That takes /work/
Why not. they are making ever other piece of shit that is out there from the 80's. Not saying that Robotech is shit (Hell I just purchased the Protoculture Collection.) just that Hollywood has no original ideas left.
It's not really about being unoriginal. It's about making as much money as is humanly possible. Have you read the number of responses to this? Have you read how many of them are positive? Engadget readers are one of Hollywood's target audiences. They pay to see the movie in the theatres, they buy the merchandise, they buy the downloadable movie (sometimes) and they buy the DVD Special Gold Elite Ultimate Supertastic Boxed Set Edition.
And to all you folks who say you don't want Hollywood to f*(k it up, let's be honest. You're going to stand in line for a week outside the theatre either way. Hollywood studios don't care if their movies suck because we still spend our money to watch these films.
Yep, it was just a matter of time at this point. The company that owns the Robotech rights has been saying for a while that the Robotech movie getting made was all but 100% contingent on Transformers doing well. Guess what? Transformers did really well.
http://www.greatwhitesnark.com/2007/06/04/san-jose-super-con-2007-robotech-scoops/
Sadly, I bet this means we'll see a Gobot movie announced, soon, too...
haha... no kidding. Now for that M.A.S.K. movie I've been pining for... :D
Just kidding... or am I? You'd have to admit, Rhino would be pretty sweet.
Can you finish the damn Shadow Chronicles first?
they better not mess it up.
special FX wise, i hope they have massive dogfights of the caliber of macross plus, and a real ship to ship space fight that will last ( always thought the main cannon of the sdf-1 was bad ass).
on ign.com they had a list of actors they d want in the movie.
all in all, i believe the books to be a good compromise between robotech and macross.
How can you dumb down Transformers?! It's a bunch of big ol' robots blowing stuff up!
WOW!!! :-)
Who the hell would play Minmey? Can someone name a single Asian-American pop star that might be able to act? Can someone even name an Asian-American female singer?
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/03/04/news/singer.php
23!
i wonder how they're gonna handle the music--as I remember it, music was always pivotal to the whole macross universe
I hear the Japanese might raise objections, but they might co-operate if they were allowed participation and could edit the movies to remove all referances to the MASTERS or the NEW GENERATION so as to be able to release it in Japan simply as 'Macross'.
If the go the Peter Jackson route of a Trilogy they only need to adapt the first 27 episodes, ending with 'Force of Arms'. That could satisfy fanboys and attract non-fans alike because that episode brings some satisfying closure to the story.
I personally would only want ONE plot change:
Some of you might know of my little theory on the Robotech website. That one of Lisa Hayes' bridgemates, Sammie Porter also survived and years later had ANNIE as a child. Those two are so much alike, Physically and attitude-wise, they SHOULD have been Mother and Daughter!
I also hope they end with 'Force of Arms' episode if they base it on the series. It be great to see the Zentradi fleet destroy the earth ( as morbid as that seems) just imagin the cool CGI scense as the movie builds up to that and the final fight. it be so awesome if they get this movie right.
I am still a big fan of Robotech/Macross and have been waiting for a movie to be made but at the same time, as a big fan, im worried that they will totally mess it up just as they did with Transformers. If they had some big names directing it, I might be a bit happier. Lets hope they keep to the original story and make it an epic movie with great effects and depth and not a teenager focused movie like Transformers was.
Dear Sweet Jesus YES!!!!
This is one of those things I've been dreaming of for years - especially since our SFX capabilities have far surpassed what's needed to pull this off.
Seriously, I have been waiting for this since I was 9-years-old. Would they make a single movie? Or a movie franchise? If they make a trilogy, would they make 3 Macross films? Or one per generation? Invid Invasion has always been my favorite. It made for the funnest RPG campaign.
Stop blaming Hollywood, directors and Actors?! For shitty movies. Blame yourself. You only want to see the same thing over and over and wish NEVER to have to THINK or ponder a different point of view. Movies and tv are only as smart or dumb as it's audience.