Henry Cavill will play Commander Keith, the Black Lion’s pilot, in the live-action Voltron film, which Universal Pictures has formally announced in a first for animation-to-live-action adaptations. The film, which was directed by Christopher McQuarrie, the creator behind Mission: Impossible – Fallout, attempts to keep faithful to its sci-fi roots while reimagining the classic 1980s cartoon series for a contemporary audience.

The project, which has been in development for several years, finally gained momentum after Universal secured the rights to the beloved franchise. Cavill, best known for his role as Superman and Geralt in The Witcher, expressed his excitement about stepping into the world of giant robots and intergalactic warfare: “Voltron has been a part of my childhood, and bringing this story to life on the big screen is a dream come true.”

The live-action Voltron will follow a new take on the original storyline: five young pilots from different walks of life are recruited to defend the galaxy from an alien threat by combining their robotic lions into the legendary giant mecha warrior, Voltron. The film will explore themes of unity, sacrifice, and resilience, drawing parallels to current global challenges.