World Events Prods., the company that introduced the world to the legendary VOLTRON: DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE TV show and licensed toys, apparel and videogames, is relaunching products from the animated favorite starting with a new DVD release and a live-action film in the works.
To catapult the epic adventures of magical robotic lions that connect to form the mighty Defender into the 21st Century, the new DVD release, VOLTRON: DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE, was completely re-mastered and re-mixed from the original episodes. The first volume, "Blue Lion" was successfully unleashed in September. The DVD series is distributed by Media Blasters and will be released throughout 2007 in eight volumes containing 15 episodes each packed with exclusive documentaries and rare clips from the creation of the show.
The VOLTRON series centers around the story of five Space Explorers who journey to the planet Arus in search of a legendary robotic Defender Voltron. The group unlocks the secret of the five elemental-powered Robot Lions, who assemble together to form Voltron, an awesome fighting robot dedicated to defending the universe.
VOLTRON first hit the U.S. airwaves in Sept. 1984 and climbed up the ratings landing the number one spot for three years in children's programming; beating out heavy hitters like HE-MAN, GI JOE and TRANSFORMERS. More than 100 different VOLTRON products were soon available in U.S. stores, from transformable toys to three-ring binders. After three seasons of the 2D series on television; an innovative CGI series, VOLTRON: THE THIRD DIMENSION (1998) and continuous reruns on TV all over the world today, VOLTRON is now being launched back into orbit.
The generation raised on VOLTRON comprise some of today's hottest producers and performers, causing a retro-wave of pop culture references from a reflective segment on VH1's I LOVE THE 80'S, mentions on EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS, a cameo on the hit series LOST, to lyrical shout-outs from artists like the Wu-Tang Clan and Murphy Lee.
World Events Prods. has signed a deal with Cartoon Network to begin airing the entire series on Adult Swim starting this month and is teaming up with producer Mark Gordon (SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, DAY AFTER TOMORROW) and urban-music creator turned exec producer Pharrell Williams (N.E.R.D. NEPTUNES) for a live-action feature film version of the Voltron universe, co-produced by Marc Costa and Ford Oelman, who, together make up NHO Ent.
VOLTRON is among the top Hollywood films in production bringing back entertainment from the '80s with remakes of old TV shows and another popular robot cartoon, THE TRANSFORMERS. This is a great opportunity for people in their twenties and thirties to relive their youth, share their memories with their children and buy as many collectables from VOLTRON as they can, according to World Events Prods.
WEP's md, Tiffany Ilardi, said, "VOLTRON is posed to make its worldwide return and licensees are jumping at the chance to be a part of our 'resurrection.' We know the value of our properties and so we will continue to try to meet the ever-growing needs of our loyal fans, both old and new."
Toymaker and distributor Toynami was the first to jump on the opportunities bandwagon for toy manufacturing. Owner George Sohn said, "The Voltron Masterpiece Edition fully transformable toys have become the hottest ticket in specialty collectible sales. The first 5,000 units sold out within the first week of release, and the second wave is anticipated to be sold out in a matter of months!"
Toynami is also working on a new Voltron toy figurine with a smaller configuration to appeal to the casual fan base for mass distribution.
A new and successful VOLTRON comicbook series launched recently with 10 comics and two paperbacks released by Devils Due Comics.
World Events Prods. (www.wep.com) is a St. Louis-based Koplar Communications International Co. specializing in the international licensing, production and distribution of animated television entertainment and sole licensor of all Voltron (www.voltron.com) properties worldwide.
