With Amazon MGM betting large on each Voltron and Masters of the Universe, the success of those long-dormant franchises may open the door for much more beloved properties from the Eighties and past to make the bounce again to reside motion.
If audiences embrace Henry Cavill’s Voltron and Nicholas Galitzine’s flip as He-Man, Hollywood could lastly have proof that there’s nonetheless demand for large-scale diversifications of traditional animated franchises.
Listed below are three initiatives that would profit probably the most.
ThunderCats
Of all of the dormant franchises ready within the wings, ThunderCats stands out as the closest to changing into a actuality.
Director Adam Wingard, identified for Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, stays hooked up to the venture and has repeatedly reassured followers that improvement remains to be ongoing. Wingard beforehand revealed that he and collaborator Simon Barrett had been actively engaged on the screenplay, stating:
“Simon and I are nonetheless actively engaged on the script.”
Wingard has additionally made it clear that he needs to remain true to the long-lasting designs followers keep in mind from the unique animated sequence. In an earlier interview, he defined:
“I don’t wish to reinvent the best way they give the impression of being.”
With its wealthy mythology, fantasy setting, and memorable characters like Lion-O, Mumm-Ra, and Panthro, ThunderCatsfeels like a pure subsequent step if audiences show they’re hungry for large-scale fantasy adventures once more.
ThunderCats
Akira
Few initiatives have spent extra time in improvement hell than a live-action adaptation of Akira.
The legendary cyberpunk manga and anime has been the topic of Hollywood curiosity for greater than 20 years. Most not too long ago, Taika Waititi was hooked up to direct a live-action model, however the venture by no means moved ahead. In 2025, Warner Bros. allowed the rights to lapse, returning them to writer Kodansha and successfully resetting the venture.
The excellent news for followers is that the story could lastly have a brand new path ahead. Studies point out that a number of producers and studios have expressed curiosity in buying the rights and creating a recent adaptation.
Set within the futuristic metropolis of Neo-Tokyo, Akira follows biker gang chief Kaneda and his pal Tetsuo after a mysterious authorities experiment unlocks devastating psychic talents. The unique movie stays one of the vital influential science fiction tales ever created and will change into a serious occasion movie if the appropriate artistic staff lastly cracks the code.
Akira
She-Ra
Whereas He-Man is getting ready for his big-screen return, his twin sister is probably not far behind.
Amazon MGM is actively creating a live-action She-Ra sequence and not too long ago introduced acclaimed author Heidi Schreckaboard to write down the venture.
Curiosity within the character has solely grown following the success of Netflix’s animated She-Ra and the Princesses of Energy, and the timing may very well be excellent if Masters of the Universe connects with audiences.
In truth, Masters of the Universe director Travis Knight not too long ago hinted that She-Ra may change into a serious a part of the franchise’s future, saying she would play:
“an enormous half” in potential sequels.
For these unfamiliar with the mythology, She-Ra, also called Princess Adora, is the long-lost twin sister of Prince Adam. Her adventures on the world of Etheria have usually been simply as beloved as He-Man’s battles on Eternia.
She-Ra
The Backside Line
Hollywood has spent years making an attempt to revive traditional animated franchises, however many initiatives have struggled to get past the event stage. If Voltron and Masters of the Universe show profitable, that would lastly change.
Whether or not it’s Adam Wingard’s long-awaited ThunderCats, a recent tackle Akira, or Amazon’s creating She-Ra sequence, the following wave of nostalgic franchise diversifications could already be ready within the shadows.
