Kasdan Developing His Own ‘Robotech’

Last September Tobey Maguire announced that he was
developing a live-action film based on the 80’s anime classic Robotech through
his Maguire Pictures and Warner Bros. Since then there’s been no details to
speak of other than some unknown writer named  Craig Zahler was working on the script. Well apparently
he wasn’t delivering the goods because Lawrence Kasdan has been hired to take
over writing duties on the film.

To the uninitiated, Robotech premiered on US televisions in 1985 through distributor Harmony Gold. The series is a frankenstein space
opera in that it is actually three different series (Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Super Dimensional Cavalry:
Southern Cross, Genesis Climber Mospeada) combined
to achieve the minimum 65-episode series length required for TV syndication in
the 80’s. As a result, the story has three distinct arches – I smell trilogy.
Beginning in the decidedly un-futuristic 1999, an alien super-fortress crashes on
a remote Pacific island leading to major technological advances called
Robotechnology. From this tech battle robots known as mecha are developed as
weapons in a generational war against alien foes. The basic story is primarily
designed around that of the Macross series which continues in popularity – and iterations – to
this day.

Kasdan is certainly no stranger to space adventures having
penned The Empire Strikes Back, considered the best film in the Star Wars series by many a fan (much to the denial of the bearded one). Despite his
lackluster credits over the last decade (let us forget Dreamcatcher), the man knows
how to deliver a good adventure yarn – his participation is good news as far as
I’m concerned. Could they be aiming to position the series as a Star Wars for a
new generation? Sure looks like it. One can only hope Maguire will sport the
requisite silly haircut required of the heroes of these films. Mark Hamill is
watching (and possibly waiting for a call).

Not so good news, garbage aficionado Akiva Goldsman is on board
as a producer along with Chuck Roven. Let us count our lucky stars he’s not
taking pen to page. Hopefully Kasdan will make it a point to toss any of Goldman’s
notes into a bin straightaway. Warner’s seems to be aiming for a 2010 release
so expect more news soon and often.