Relativity Media and Atlas Entertainment announced that, following a bidding war, they have optioned the feature film rights for Voltron.  The new movie will be a live-action remake based on the 1984 animated series Voltron: Defender of the Universe.  Thomas Dean Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer (Sahara) will write the script.  Here's how the studios describe their newly acquired property:

In Voltron, an elite battle force defends the fate of mankind in the spectacular action adventure. Five young warriors are responsible for the future of the galaxy when they become pilots of a battalion of ultra-high-tech Robot Lions, powerful vessels with the ability to join together to form a fearsome mega-weapon known as “Voltron."

If you found your way here, you are probably more familiar with Voltron than I am.  I'll let you pore over the details in the press release after the jump, and discuss the potential of a live-action movie with fellow fans in the comments.

[Update: Better yet, check out Dave's recap of the Voltron panel at Comic-Con.]

Relativity Media and Atlas Entertainment to Bring Voltron to Big  Screen

Studio options feature film rights from World Event Productions

(Beverly Hills, CA) July 21, 2011 – Relativity Media’s President of Worldwide Production Tucker Tooley announced today the studio has optioned the feature film rights for Voltron™ from World Event Productions, and will adapt the live-action big screen version from the 1984 cult-classic animated series Voltron: Defender of the Universe™. The project was brought to Relativity through their deal with Atlas Entertainment’s Charles Roven and Richard Suckle, whose company will shepherd the project.

In Voltron™, an elite battle force defends the fate of mankind in the spectacular action adventure. Five young warriors are responsible for the future of the galaxy when they become pilots of a battalion of ultra-high-tech Robot Lions, powerful vessels with the ability to join together to form a fearsome mega-weapon known as “Voltron”.

The original series, based on the Japanese anime properties Beast King GoLion and Kikou Kantai Dairugger XV, aired in the United States for two years and has been described as an “international pop-culture hit” that has garnered a large following over the last 25 years. In recent years, the Voltron™ property has sold over 300,000 DVDs, established numerous apparel and consumer product deals and has spawned a highly-successful TV series, Voltron Force™, which became Nicktoon’s highest-rated debut ever on June 16, 2011. Voltron™ will be making its first-ever panel debut at Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday, July 21 where they will feature a presentation of all-new and classic Voltron™ content.

The live-action film will be produced by Atlas Entertainment’s Roven (The Dark Knight) and Richard Suckle (The International), along with Kickstart Entertainment’s Jason Netter (Wanted). World Events Productions’ Ted Koplar (Voltron Force) will executive produce. The script is being penned by Thomas Dean Donnelly (Conan the Barbarian) and Joshua Oppenheimer (Sahara).

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.”  Tooley added, “With Chuck and Richard’s experience producing tentpoles, they are the perfect producers to bring this potential franchise to theaters.”

Roven, co-founder, Atlas Entertainment said, “It’s incredibly gratifying to officially announce the development of the live-action Voltron™ movie this week, given its recent resurgence and the start of Comic-Con."

Suckle, producer, Atlas Entertainment added, "I know there's been a lot of rumors and speculation about this movie, so it's great to finally confirm to all the Voltron™ fans everywhere that we're coming for them."

World Events Productions was represented in the deal by UTA.

Looking ahead, Relativity will release David Ellis’ Shark Night 3D on September 2, 2011, followed by Marc Forster’s Machine Gun Preacher on September 23, 2011, then the highly-anticipated Immortals on November 11, 2011, starring Henry Cavill, Stephen Dorff, Isabel Lucas, Freida Pinto, Luke Evans and Kellan Lutz with John Hurt and Mickey Rourke. The studio is in production on its Untitled Snow White Project (in theatres March 16, 2012), starring Lily Collins as Snow White, Oscar®-winner Julia Roberts as the evil Queen, Armie Hammer as Prince Andrew Alcott, and Nathan Lane as the hapless and bungling servant to the Queen. Relativity’s expansive 2012 slate also includes Haywire (in theatres January 20, 2012), Act of Valor (in theatres February 17, 2012), The Raven (in theatres March 9, 2012), Untitled Farrelly/Wessler Project (in theatres April 13, 2012), House at the End of the Street (in theatres April 20, 2012), Safe Haven (in theatres June 1, 2012) and Hunter Killer (in theatres December 21, 2012).