The film adaptation of Robotech, based on the property owned by Harmony Gold, has found its director in Rhys Thomas. The 1980s animated series was comprised of three different Japanese animated series (Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross, and Genesis Climber Mospeada) that were redubbed and recut to have a single overarching storyline. The premise is that during a time that Earth has developed giant robots from the technology of an alien spacecraft that crashed on a South Pacific island, using said technology to fight off an impending alien invasion.
Originally James Wan was slated to direct the film, intending to be “respectful to the origin of the material” while also telling a more modern story. However, Wan would end up leaving in order to make the first Aquaman movie. Andy Muschietti, the director of It and The Flash, stepped up to helm the film but eventually parted ways with the production as well, leaving Thomas to be hired.
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At the moment, Thomas is on a high streak after his work on the Disney+ series Hawkeye, which saw Jeremy Renner and a few other Marvel stars reprise their roles, some more unexpected than others. Besides directing the first, second, and final episode of the show, Thomas also executive produced the series. Besides that, Thomas is highly regarded in the world of comedy for his work on Saturday Night Live (SNL) and the IFC series Documentary Now!, which he co-created the latter with Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, and Seth Meyers. Thomas has both directed and received four Emmy nominations for Documentary Now!, which is in production on Season 4.
Robotech Has Been a Long Time Coming
Robotech has been in development since 2007, with Warner Bros. initially seeking to develop a live-action film with Tobey Maguire’s production company. Next, Sony Pictures would pick up the project in 2015. Their intention was “moving quickly toward production of a future global franchise.” A legal battle between Harmony Gold and advertising firm Big West, who owns the rights to the original Japanese series Marcross, held up production until both companies were able to come to an agreement in 2021.
The film adaptation of Robotech is currently in development with the script by Marcum & Holloway. A rewrite by Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka has also been done. Harmony Gold is also involved. Thomas is represented by WME, 3 Arts Entertainment, and Ziffren Brittenham. Gatewood and Tanaka are repped by UTA, Management 360, Hansen Jacobson Teller.
