According to Deadline, Warner Bros. is taking another stab at the anime classic, which became popular in the 1980s as a sci-fi epic, even though it was really an amalgamation of multiple series. The project is being developed by Hollywood Gang Productions, the folks who gave us 300 and 300: Rise of an Empire, with Michael Gordon (GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra) set to write the screenplay. If all goes according to producers' plans they'll be able to lure in Andy Muschietti (Mama) to direct.
A Robotech movie has been in the works for so long that it's kind of become a joke. Nic Mathieu was the most recent director attached to it, and at one point there was even talk of Leonardo DiCaprio taking a lead role. While it's probably foolish to speculate too far, it would be surprising if they didn't decide to use the popular Macross Saga as a basis for the film.
Another anime/manga favorite that has had its own troubles on the big screen is Astro Boy. A few years ago there was a great deal of buzz amongst Comic-Con attendees about an animated version of Osamu Tezuka robot hero, but apparently they were the only ones excited because the film was a huge flop. Now the visual effects wizards at Animal Logic (Avengers: Age of Ultron) are setting the stage for a live-action movie. A screenwriter and director still need to be found so this one is still some ways off, but producer Zareh Nalbandian has said he equates the character with Iron Man so they've got some pretty big aspirations. [THR]
