Voltron is back with a brand-new, Netflix Original

From days long ago, from uncharted regions of the universe…

So there’s the first trailer for the reimagined Voltron. Not a continuation of the 1980’s animated series, but a fresh start reboot with a redesigned Voltron ‘bot and a slightly altered cast.

Normally, I’m none too fond of reboots, but in this case I’ll make an exception. Voltron doesn’t really have a rock-solid history and canon after all, with the original series giving way to a bunch of other stabs at comics and yes, cartoons. As shows go though, this is probably the first one since that classic program that you can legitimately (hopefully) get excited about.

I loved Voltron, so I know I’m up to check out what Netflix, Executive Producer Joaquim Dos Santos, and Co-Executive Producer Lauren Montgomery have on tap. So far anyway, it’s looking pretty good. The Voltron robot looks good, with nods to the original, but with a sleeker design, and the individual lions seem pretty spot-on.

Dos Santos shared “As children of the 80’s who grew up with Voltron what was there not to love? You had 5 awesome lions, piloted by 5 awesome heroes who combined to form a giant, sword wielding Titan! It unapologetically married Sci-fi and Fantasy in one incredibly over the top, bombastic package. Fans of the new series [Voltron: Legendary defender] can look for us to keep all those elements but also expect a much more fleshed out universe with a rich backstory and characters who will evolve over the course of the series.”

I’m all for “a more fleshed-out universe”, and most of what we’re seeing here int he early looks at the show seems to be as faithful to the original as you could hope. Where you will notice a difference though, is with the pilots of the famed lions. The new show follows a group of teens taken from Earth, and inserted into a galactic war. They’ll have to come to grips with their newfound situation and become the Voltron Force. Oh, and Sven is out the window, replaced by Shiro.

You can check out the full press release below, complete with all the particulars. Voltron: Legendary Defender debuts on Netflix with a 13 episode season (which’ll all be available at once natch’), on June 10th.

Princess Allura – Kimberly Brooks (Ben 10: Omniverse, Justice League: War)

Coran – Rhys Darby (What We Do in the Shadows, Flight of the Concords)

Shiro, Black Lion – Josh Keaton (Green Lantern: The Animated Series, Transformers Prime)

Hunk, Yellow Lion – Tyler Labine (Reaper, Tucker & Dale vs. Evil)

Lance, Blue Lion – Jeremy Shada (Finn in Adventure Time, Batman: The Brave and the Bold)

Pidge, Green Lion – Bex Taylor-Klaus (Arrow, Scream: The Series, iZombie)

Keith, Red Lion – Steven Yeun (The Walking Dead, The Legend of Korra)

Synopsis:      From days long ago, from uncharted regions of the universe comes the Netflix Original Series, VOLTRON: LEGENDARY DEFENDER! DreamWorks Animation reimagines one of the most popular fan-favorite shows of all time in this all-new comedic action-packed show from executive producer Joaquim Dos Santos (The Legend of Korra, Avatar: The Last Airbender) and co-executive producer Lauren Montgomery (The Legend of Korra).

Five unsuspecting teenagers, transported from Earth into the middle of a sprawling intergalactic war, become pilots for five robotic lions in the battle to protect the universe from evil. Only through the true power of teamwork can they unite to form the mighty warrior known as VOLTRON: LEGENDARY DEFENDER.